Spring weather signals the start of specific gardening tasks that are essential to maintaining a vital, healthy garden. I’m a “list” type of gardener and the following is my springtime procedural list in order of personal priority. 1) Finish pruning everything in the yard, including roses, fruit trees, and summer-blooming shrubs. Then, rake up old leaves, cut back dead growth on perennials and remove leftover annuals and vegetables from gardens and containers. 2) Apply “Crabgrass … [Read more...] about Nine Garden Tasks for Better Gardens This Spring
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January is the Time to Prepare Garden Soils
Gardeners know the better the soil, the larger the harvest, the brighter the flowers, the easier the gardening. Once you’ve tried digging the first planting hole in a mountain garden, you figure it out. Our native soils are HARD! Successful gardens always come down to soil quality. Skimp on spring preparation to “soften” the ground, and a garden’s production drops close to zero. January is my month to amend garden beds, turn the soil, and let the garden rest before planting begins March 1. … [Read more...] about January is the Time to Prepare Garden Soils