Gardening Zone 4
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MARCH Key IssuesTake a look at the snow pack reports for your area. A low snow pack can mean possible future watering restrictions. Such limits on water can have a major impact on the number and types of plants you can actually support. Here’s what you can do to be a Water Wise gardener:
HerbicidesCarefully apply pre-emergent herbicides to your lawn to prevent summer annual weeds from gaining a foothold. PruningTime to prune: muscadine grape vines, as well as fruit trees like peaches, apples, and pears for optimal fruit production. FlowersPrune summer flowering trees and shrubs like crape myrtles. Do not prune spring flowering plants, like azaleas and rhododendrons, until they have finished flowering. RainwaterSet up a rain catching system to harvest spring rains. It could be as complex as a rain barrel hooked to roof downspouts or as simple as extra mulch to absorb rainwater in and around your flowerbeds. VegetablesStart warm season vegetable transplants indoors, and start planning that summer veggie garden now! Tomato, pepper, and eggplant sown early (indoors) will provide a crop even with limited watering outdoors in a few months. Sow early and harvest early before summer gets too hot and dry. Container GardensContainer gardens are easy to keep watered. Spring blooming annuals and bulbs work well to add color and most can be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings.
APRIL Key IssuesBe Water Wise! Be aware that many SE locations will be facing water restrictions this spring and summer, so be Water Wise. Consider the following:
Water Conservation TechniquesConserve water! Many in the Southeast are facing drought, and with that comes water restrictions. Use rain barrels or other rain-collecting methods so you can reuse what nature’s provided to keep your plants watered, as well as healthy. Pruning BasicsPrune spring-flowering shrubs, like azaleas and rhododendrons, immediately after flowering. Spring Lawn CareUse a pre-emergent weed killer (AKA herbicide) to control crabgrass in the lawn. The time to apply is when your forsythia is in full bloom. Read and follow all label directions for a safe and appropriate rate of application. Remove any early-bird weeds from your garden and landscape beds by hand-pulling. Once your beds are clean, apply a pre-emergent weed killer to keep them that way. Again, always read and follow label instructions carefully! It’s official: Spring cleaning has arrived! If you didn’t clean your tools after your last planting season, clean them now, as well as your patio furniture and pots, so you’re ready to grow! Got Termites?Treat exterior foundations for spiders, termites and any other unwanted pests that become active and troublesome as the ground warms. Make sure you have all crawly culprits identified before you do any treatments. Be on the lookout for azalea lace bug on azalea. Look on the undersides of leaves for evidence of this small sucking insect. Call your local Cooperative Extension office for a recommended insecticide in your area. As always, read and follow label directions carefully.
MAY Key IssuesBe Water Wise! Be aware that many SE locations will be facing water restrictions this spring and summer, so be Water Wise. Consider the following:
Spring Lawn CareMaintain adequate soil moisture for your recently sown grass seed. If your new or existing lawn doesn’t receive an inch of rainfall each week, supplement with irrigation via sprinkler. Plant That Mum…It’s a Perennial!Pinch back hardy mums every two weeks through mid-July. Remove one-third of the new growth each time to encourage bushier plants. Pruning BasicsPrune back azaleas, rhododendrons and lilacs immediately after flowering. Selecting the Right MulchPay close attention to your newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials. It’s time well-spent to irrigate deeply, remove weeds and apply several inches of organic mulch to the soil. These practices encourage deep root systems and healthy growth habits – essentials for plant survival now and when the hot weather sets in. Easy-to-Grow Cutflowers for SummerPlan and plant a cutflower garden filled with beautiful blooms to enjoy through summer and into the fall – indoors, as well as out! Sunflowers for You and the KidsDon’t forget that gardening is for kids, too! Encourage your budding green thumbs to spend time out in the garden. Plant a sunflower patch together and enjoy a great learning experience! The Garden Path – Laying PaversTired of that muddy – then dusty – dirt path in your landscape? Create that dream pathway you’ve always wanted! Raised Bed BasicsMake way for more vegetables or flowers in your garden with raised beds. They help conserve water, avoid possible drainage problems and give you an area to grow plants in fresh, nourishing soil. Another plus: You don’t need to be a master builder to create your own! Growing and Enjoying Summer SquashSummer squash love warm soils, making this the ideal time of year to plant them in your kitchen garden. They’ll gladly produce an abundant harvest for you to enjoy! Building a Water Garden or Fish PondAdd a water feature to your landscape. Small ponds add interest and enjoyment for years to come. (And they’re less work than you might think.) Perfect Potting Secrets RevealedDon’t forget your houseplants! Repot any that may need it. If you haven’t started to fertilize for the season, now’s the time to start. Once nighttime temperatures stay consistently above 55 degrees F, you can safely move your houseplants outdoors for their summer vacation.
JUNE Key IssuesJapanese beetles make their annual appearance in the garden this month. Roses, hibiscus, dahlias and hollyhocks are just a few of the favorite plants that these spoilers like to feed on. Wet, humid weather can pose problems for roses. Be on the lookout for powdery mildew and black spot, two diseases that can disfigure roses. Fungicides can be used to combat these problems, but make sure the diagnosis is accurate before using anything first. As always, only use recommended fungicides as directed after carefully reading all label
information and application instructions. Weeds are beginning to take over many lawns and garden beds this time of year. Early action is your best defense. The first step is to know what kind of weed you’re dealing with before getting rid of it. With some weeds, hand-pulling can actually do more harm than good, and not all weed killers are the same. (It’s important to know what the weed is so the
right weed killer can be applied at the right time. And as always, read and follow all label information and directions!) Not sure what a particular weed in your garden is or how to deal with it? Contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance with identification and control.
Keep planted landscape beds looking their best! Apply 2 inches of organic mulch to keep weeds at bay, conserve needed soil moisture and stabilize soil temperatures.
Ivy Geraniums: Container ChampionsIvy geraniums are perfect for planters, window boxes and hanging baskets. These “spillers” add punch to containers, with their beautiful colors, attractive leaves and trailing habits. Growing and Enjoying Summer SquashVegetables and fruits that crave warm soils should be planted now – muskmelons, watermelons, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and summer squash are worthy additions to the home garden. Share it, Save it, Sell it! (The Joys of Extra Produce)Continue to harvest your crops as they ripen. Too much of a good thing? Donate excess produce to a local soup kitchen or food bank for the hungry. Homemade Bruschetta with Homegrown IngredientsTomatoes of all varieties should be flowering and fruiting now. Enjoy the harvest and continue to feed your plants with the nutrients they need (according to label directions). Keep taller varieties staked or caged, adjusting ties as needed. Looking for a yummy way to enjoy your homegrown tomatoes? Try bruschetta! Hanging baskets need regular attention to keep them looking their best. Make it part of your daily routine to check yours for needed soil moisture. Liquid-feed those plants according to label directions, and remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Your perennials may need a little attention this month: Deadhead any that have finished flowering, cut back catmint to encourage another round of blooms, adjust ties on taller plants, and pinch back hardy mums to encourage bushier plants with more blooms. The Dark Side of Black SpotCheck in on your roses. Fertilize them according to package directions, deadhead any spent flowers, and water as needed (preferably with a soaker hose to keep foliage dry). Add new rose plantings to the garden for additional enjoyment. Summer Lawn Care in the Northeast and Mid-AtlanticFeed your warm-season centipede grass. Make your once-a-year application now. Any cool-season grasses (like Kentucky bluegrasses and ryegrasses) will slow down during the summer months. Active growth will resume when cool weather returns in early fall. Mow as needed. Seasonings From Mother NatureMove your houseplants outdoors for a summer vacation. Never place them in direct sun – even plants get burned! Dappled shade is suitable for most vacationing houseplants. |
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