Article: Spring Chores in the Garden

Created on: Monday, June 09, 2003

• Prune vines, roses, ornamental grasses (don't prune early spring flowers until after they bloom).
• Prune dormant trees and shrubs.
• Transplant dormant trees and shrubs.
• Divide perennials.
• Plant asparagus, small fruits.
• Sow flower seeds (& veggies) indoors.
• Set cabbage family plants in cold frame.
• Sow carrots, beets, radish, and peas in garden.
• Fertilize all trees, shrubs, ground covers, perennials, fruit and berries - wait on bulbs until after they bloom.
• Remove winter mulches and wraps.
• Begin lawn care - pre-emergent fertilizer, top dress, seed bare spots, lime. Or start a new lawn from seed or sod - check pH.
• Begin to weed and edge beds.
• Start a wildflower garden.
• Learn how to read a bag of fertilizer.
• Check soil temperature; root growth starts at 45 degrees, top growth at 55 degrees.
• Plant summer-blooming bulbs.
• Plant strawberries.
• Divide crowded spring bulbs after flowering, and deadhead and fertilize.
• Place gro-thrus and supports around perennials, peonies, trellises for peas, etc.
• Look for new varieties of annuals and veggies