#DIYLOVE – Spring Gardening

Spring Gardening Activities

“Our List of Early Spring Gardening Activities” Via Dinter Nursery.

“Garden Jobs

• Prune summer flowering shrubs by late March (hydrangeas, roses, lavender and others)

• Prune spring flowering shrubs as they finish blooming

• Prune fruit trees and apply dormant spray by late March before trees break dormancy

• To prepare for planting, spread compost and/or manure on flower and vegetable beds

• If growth is required or colour is poor, fertilize evergreens and trees in March using a high nitrogen fertilizer

Planting

• Plant any hardy containerized plants

• Plant bare root trees and roses before the end of March

• Raspberries & strawberries are available for planting as inexpensive bare root plants in early spring

• Plant small fruits like blueberries, grapes, kiwis, and blackberries

• Summer bulbs are arriving for planting – i.e. lilies, montbretia, nerines, gladiolas, and dahlia can be planted as the soil warms up

Lawns

• Early spring is the time to apply lime and moss control when the weather is dry

• Add fertilizer 2 weeks after liming (as grass growth starts) with a high nitrogen product and repeat in 6 weeks

• New lawns can be seeded when soil warms up (usually mid-March)

• Prepare soil as soon as it’s dry enough to work, aerate lawn if required (i.e. if drainage is poor)

Perennials

• Divide and move plants by late March if required

• The nursery has a great selection of new plants in early spring

• Fertilize or mulch beds with compost to enrich soil

• Watch that weeds do not get out of hand among the perennials, remove weeds before growth starts

Seeding

• If a protected area is available, March is the time to plant many types of seeds

• If you’re not sure of the seeding date, use the 6 week rule: plant seeds indoors for 6 weeks before planting outdoors

• When planting seed, plan on enough room for transplants to be grown on

• Cold frames will speed up growth of plants and harden tender plants

• Direct seeding can be done for hardy plants such as sweet peas

Annuals

• Most types of outdoor annuals shouldn’t be planted until mid-April at the earliest

• Complete prep work: planting beds, spreading compost and/or manure, etc. and work in lime and a balanced fertilizer—this will pay great dividends later!

• Only hardy annuals can be planted in early spring, such as pansies, bellis and primulas

• If you have a protected area, hanging baskets and planters can be planted in early spring for a head start

Vegetables

• Plant hardy items such as brassicas, lettuce, and onions in March

• Peas, spinach, carrots and beets can be seeded

• Feed rhubarb and mulch with organic compost

• Plan your herb garden location as a perennial bed as most types are hardy

• Heat loving plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and melons are set out mid-May

• If space is limited, plant only high value vegetables or those varieties that you prize–have a plan of what you want from your garden

Spring Colour in the Garden

• Spring can be a long season in our area

• Most of our flowering trees and shrubs are spring-flowering

• Remember that spring-blooming plants are pruned after flowering, not before

• Expect a lot for colour to appear as the weather continues to warm up

• With some careful planning and cooperation from Mother Nature, we can have flowers in the garden almost every month of the year!…”

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