AC LIVING GARDEN & LANDSCAPE
Getting Ready for Spring Garden and Landscape Editor Steve Montgomery Gives Us A Heads Up with His Thorough Winter ‘To Do List.’
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Time flies when we’re having fun, doesn’t it? It seems though, that the older I get, that time keeps flying whether I am having fun or not! There doesn’t seem to be enough time to get everything done. With that in mind, I’m giving you a list of the many things that could and should be done to your garden over the next three months. Most people think that the “things to do” list slows down in the winter and to some degree, it does. However, now is the time to get moving on a number of tasks to get the jump on Spring that, as time flies, is not that far away. In my opinion, everyone should have a garden, even a small one, like a few planters or pots on a deck that produces some vegetables, fruit and herbs. It not only gives you great tasting food and makes your space more beautiful, but it also gives you a sense of accomplishment that you grew something that can actually sustain you and others. It doesn’t go without some pre-planning and some good old hard work, but it sure is very gratifying to be able to do this. Adding ornamentals to your garden gives a sense of pure pleasure with their amazing colorful flowers and leaf varying textures. One of the reasons I’ve been in this business for so long is the incredible amount of variety in the plants that God created for this earth we live on. It is truly beyond measure. I have been in this business for 36 years now and still come across new plants that I had no idea existed. The different colors and growth habits are amazing and quite humbling. So here is a short list of some of the more important things I recommend you do to help you have a more successful year of growing your own food and enjoying the pleasure of ornamental plants. .
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021
JANUARY
There’s more to do in the garden in January than you might think! -Test your soil for its PH level. You can contact the local cooperative extension office for a soil test kit. Then depending on the results you can apply the right amount of fertilizer, Sulphur and Lime. -Test your seeds to make sure they are good. Do this by germinating just a few so that you won’t be disappointed if they’re no good in the garden. -If you don’t have a garden yet, make one. Now is the time to start setting it up. -Prep your garden by spreading manure orcompost and working it into the existing soil. - Try to repurpose things for trellises, stakes and other items to help functionally and aesthetically. Be creative! -This is a perfect time for planting all trees and many shrubs like Camellia etc., Don’t forget to water as needed. - Plant hardy vegetables and cool-season crops such as lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, beets, carrots, radishes, turnips, spinach and much more. - Start warm season vegetables indoors.
APPALACHIAN COUNTRY LIVING
- Let ice on the plants melt naturally, trying to remove it frozen may damage the plants. - Make successive plantings of the plants you want more of so you can continue to harvest for a longer period of time. - Sharpen all your gardening tools as needed. - Change the oil in your 4 stroke engine equipment and perform the usual maintenance. - Refrigerated bulbs can be planted now in prepped beds. Add a layer of mulch over the top for protection. - Plant cool season annuals like Carnations, Pansies, Petunias etc. - Fertilize your established fruit trees and plant new dormant ones. - Light pruning on ornamental trees and shrubs is fine now. Fertilize. - Check for insect and disease on all plants and treat early if detected. - Prune dormant fruit trees as needed. - Check fencing and wraps to make sure everything is as it should be. - This can be done anytime, but building or buying cold frames will help get your tender plants get a head start. WWW.ACLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
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