May 2008

Preparing your Garden for Spring

Spring is here! Old Man winter has done his worst but sunshine and flowers are taking his place.

Get Your Garden Tools Ready!
Garden tools have been carefully hibernating all winter long. Before spring springs upon you, make sure your lawn mower is in good working condition. Make sure you have all the tools necessary to keep your garden trim and pretty all spring long.

Spring Cleaning for Spring!
Cut off dead branches from your trees such as maple trees and silver birch. Clear the shrubs and rake the leaves from your lawn. Clear dead leaves from your flowers beds by hand as early sprouting perennials, as well as early Crocus and Aconite may be underneath the topsoil. This is important as dead foliage can be a haven for breeding pests. Dead leaves of the iris can produce fungus diseases and give good hiding places for slugs and snails.

Clear your flowerbeds of wild weeds which have grown like Creeping Charlie and Wild Onion Garlic. And finally prickle the soil, carefully as not to hurt your bulbs and other perennials, which will soon shoot up in the warm weather.

Preparing Your Soil!
The key to a green thumb is in the soil. Compost and well-rotted manure will not only improve texture but also add the necessary nutrients plants need for growth. So mix lots of it into your soil. Remove any rocks you uncover while digging. Once you finish, the soil should be crumbly and hold together when squeezed it in your fist. Learn how to make good compost in one of our next newsletters.

Planning!
Spend a little time evaluating where the sun shines in your garden; which spots are shadier, which spots get direct sunlight. Choose plants that will grow well in your garden situation. For a list of shade tolerant plants, click here
http://www.mondusdistinction.com/informativetools/specialplants.php#Shade
You can group plants that have similar needs. Once you have thought through your requirements, purchase your plants.

Planting!
Gardeners eagerly await spring to begin planting but don’t jump the gun. For your frost- free date, the following list makes a good rule of thumb:
· Zone 1: June1 - June 30
· Zone 2: May 1 - May 31
· Zone 3: May 1 - May31
· Zone 4: May 1 - May31
· Zone 5: March 30 - April30
· Zone 6: March 30 - April30
· Zone 7: March 30 - April30
· Zone 8: February 28 - March 30
· Zone 9: January 30 - February 28
· Zone 10: January 1 - January 31
· Zone 11: Frost Free Year Round
(Frost –free dates are averages and are given as a range of dates)
If you are not sure of your Zone, check: http://www.mondusdistinction.com/informativetools/zones.php

For Ottawa gardeners for example, the May 24th weekend is historically the start of the frost-free season. Annuals, plants, seeds and vegetables are safe to be introduced to your garden, but keep an ear out for “late frost warnings” and be prepared to cover and protect.

Dig a hole in your garden that is about twice as big as the pot that holds the new plant you have purchased. Add some compost. Gently remove the plant from the pot and loosen the roots. Place the plant inside the hole you have dug and cover it up with soil. Sprinkle water as recommended.

Transplanting!
The best time to transplant most trees and shrubs is after the frost has left the ground and before the plant has started to bud. Most plants are still dormant at this time and spring tends to keep the soil moist to allow the root system to take hold. Similarly, this is the best time to divide your perennials. Follow the procedure above for the best technique of transplanting and remember: “the best time to plant a tree is 10 years ago”.

You might want to think of transplanting plants that you've cared for indoors during the winter to an outside spot in your garden. These tender plants will not be able to endure the night frost so make sure that winter is gone. Help them get adjusted to the outside by putting them in the shade first for two or three hours a day. Do this for 2 to 3 weeks and then replant in your garden.

An Added Touch of Nature's Beauty!
There is no more beautiful a scene than to have butterflies fluttering freely in your garden. Some of the flowers that you can plant in your garden to attract butterflies are Queen Anne's Lace, Milkweed, Meadowseed, Lupine and Dogwood, Aster, Lavender, Lily, Everlasting Phlox, Sunflower, Rosemary, and Veronica. These plants and flowers attract butterflies as well as host butterfly larvae. Don't use any synthetic pesticide if you want to attract butterflies. Synthetic pesticide will kill the butterfly larvae.

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