March 11, 2020 Spring is here! The first warm season of the year is every gardener’s favorite time of the year. Time to start the year new with beautiful blooms and new plants. Colorado is warming up again, so here are some tips to start your dream garden this year: Asses your environment Make sure to wait until the tell-tale signs of spring start showing. Some of these are appearances of snowdrop bulbs, crocus, and/or winter aconite. Snow may be melting, but it doesn’t mean a nasty cold snap could happen at any moment. Wait for a couple of weeks after the first signs of new growth just in case it dips below freezing again- killing any progress you may have started. Some winter damage may begin to show itself in the forms of snow mold. If you find gray circular patches on your lawn, don’t call a professional just yet. The lawn is not dead, it just needs a good raking to dry out with the warmer weather. Pruning Before you start preparing your plants for a new growing season, make sure your working with dry soil as to avoid clumping. Cleaning and sharpening your gardening tools help make the process more efficient and effective- try using a metal oil to prevent rusting over the years. Not all plants require the same exact maintenance schedule, and some need to be pruned before blooming or mid-season. Plants like roses and ornamental grass need to be pruned before first bloom for best results. However, plants like lilac, forsythia, and quince should all be bloomed shortly after Memorial Day, or first bloom. Then there are specific breeds like grapevines that require mid-season pruning only after the second year. Consult your local arborist for a complete care guide for your specific garden if you are unsure about pruning schedules. Trees Some trees, especially fruit species, struggle and inevitably die during a harsh winter. Do NOT try to remove a tree yourself, but instead contact an arborist to professionally remove the affected plant and avoid thousands of dollars in potential damages. Pruning trees may not be necessary until the first growth is in full swing but be sure to finish your pruning on large trees and overgrown shrubs by mid-March. Wait until the temperature warms to 40 degrees or above to start watering, and water while the sun is at its highest. To establish how much water your tree needs, use a screwdriver to poke the ground around the tree- if it is nearly unable to break the soil, it is too dry. If it drags in the soil with little resistance, then put off watering drastically. If your tree is younger, establishing some stakes for spring may be the best way to secure the plan and ensure it grows straight. The stakes should be loose enough to give some and should be removed after one growing season. Your Indoor Plants Though your indoor plants have enjoyed a warmer winter, they do suffer with less sunlight. You will notice slight blooming with longer hours of sunlight, which is the best time to transfer to a slightly larger pot. Use sterile potting soil and carefully replant your plant in a sunny spot of the house. Pro tip: use coffee filters in the bottom of the pot instead of rocks to leave more room for roots, and longer use of the new pot. Don’t fertilize your new potted environment for at least one month but do water succulents 2 days after repotting. Spring is the perfect time to clean out the old and begin fresh again. Design your perfect Colorado garden and care system with Front Range Arborists today.
