For A Great Spring!

1 April 2012 No Comment View all Articles by: Gateway Garden Center

By Peg Castorani, Gateway Garden Center

* Remove all plant debris from beneath existing shrubs, roses and perennials. This is the single most important benefit you can give your plants.

* Cut back your grasses to 6” or so. Do not cut back evergreen grasses, just comb out any dead leaves with your fingers.

* Cut back Liriope for its annual trim. You can use your weed wacker to do this chore.

* Prune fall blooming clematis. Visit http://www.homeofclematis.net

to discover which clematis you have and when to prune.

* Cut back roses. Remove all decayed foliage under the plants to prevent disease problems.

* Plant vegetable plants with a good compost such as Bumper Crop as soon as the soil is workable.

* Lawns: Test your soil with a soil sample bag from the Extension Service at the U of D. Order a soil test kit on line at http://ag.udel.edu/dstp

* Rake away any winter debris and aerate your lawn to add oxygen and promote soil organisms.

* Apply Organic Corn Gluten fertilizer to prevent weed seeds from germinating in your lawn and garden. Corn Gluten also supplies nitrogen for a spring green-up.

* Consider a Native Plant when you decide to replace a plant or add new. Native Plants require less water, fertilizer, or chemicals because they are naturally adapted to our location. Visit the web site www.abnativeplants.com to find out more.

* Check out our web site www.gatewaygardens.com for more gardening tips and a schedule of our helpful, free workshops.