Early Spring GARDENING Spring is right around the corner! Here are a few tips to give you a head start: It’s time to clean up the garden and remove all debris and dead plants Remove weeds—making sure to get the roots so they will not grow back! Sharpen your garden tools if needed and get your mower back in shape Check outside plants and trees for animal damage Prune trees and shrubs, both ornamentals and fruit so they’ll grow anew in spring. Check evergreens for signs of desiccation Use compost or manure to add moisture back into the soil Use an acid-type rhododendron fertilizer to feed evergreens, conifers, rhododendrons, azaleas & camellias Use an all-purpose fertilizer to feed roses and other deciduous trees and shrubs. If using dry-type fertilizers, water them in thoroughly Replace mulch as needed—1 to 3 inches of mulch helps prevent weeds and diseases Start to rejuvenate annual flower beds
Start seeds of cool-season vegetables and flowers Apply dormant oil fruit spray Take notes and buy some shrubs and trees that you would like to see in your winter garden next season