Gardening Zone 5
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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:
Five Hand Tools for Every GardenerCheck pruners, shovels and lawn mower blades for any needed repairs, cleaning and/or sharpening. If so, now is the time to do it! It’s time to tune-up the lawn mower, too. Minding Your Horticultural HealthTry doing some stretching exercises and movements like you would make working in the garden. Doing these on a routine basis now will help limit the aches and pains of gardening come spring season. How Do You Water Your Garden?Check roses, perennials and trees for moisture. If rainfall or snow cover has been lacking, they could benefit from a soaking. Take inventory of all plant foods/fertilizers before the season breaks. Make a list of all needed items before you go shopping. Take a good look at your garden hoses and make any needed repairs to them or hose reels. Replace any that can no longer be repaired. How about personal protection garden gear? Do you have all the gloves, garden shoes/boots and sunblock that you will need? Weed ManagementWeeds are always a problem in the garden and landscape. Keep an eye on them and manage them early in the season so they do not become well-established.
APRIL
Now’s definitely spring-cleaning time in the garden! Clean up any remaining debris in your yard and planting beds. Also trim dead branches from plants to make way for new growth.
If you didn’t clean your annual flower pots last fall, now’s the time to do it before you start planting! Check to see how much potting soil you have in storage, and buy more so you’ll have it when you need it. Don’t Guess, Soil TestGarden soil should be tested for pH before you plant this spring. Once your garden soil has dried out and is workable again, it’s time to prepare it for spring plantings! Add any soil amendments at this time, like compost, leaf mold or manure, to promote healthier soil. Selecting the Right MulchApply a layer of mulch to your clean garden beds. All you need is 1-2 inches of organic mulch to keep weeds at bay and conserve needed soil moisture. Keep a close eye on your roses! Once the leaf bud eyes start to form, it’s time to prune roses to ready them for their new growth. Remember to seal the ends of the canes with a good white glue (but not school glue because it’ll wash off). The sealing protects the freshly cut canes from cane borers. Irrigation Equipment BasicsCheck garden hoses and sprinklers to make sure they’re in good shape. Now’s the time to buy any needed new hoses, sprinklers or sprinkler heads for the season ahead.
MAY Tropical Plants for ContainersTender bulbs like dahlias, cannas and elephant ears can be safely planted outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Short on ground space? Plant them in containers for enjoyment on decks and patios. Fertilize roses according to label directions for sturdier, healthier plants and blooms. Deadhead spent flowers from spring-blooming bulbs and early perennials, including daffodils, tulips, crocus, candytuft and bleeding hearts. This will direct the energy back into the plant instead of wasting it on unnecessary seed production. Perennial Care & MaintenancePay some attention to your perennial border. Now's the time to fertilize and divide your fall-blooming perennials. Peonies: Garden RoyaltyKeep your peonies from flopping – stake them as their new growth begins to elongate. It's time to also stake your taller flowering plants and vegetables before they start to flop Use flexible ties to hold plants in place, and don't tighten them like a tourniquet. 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. Perfect Potting Secrets RevealedDon't forget about your houseplants! Repot any that need it. If you haven't started to fertilize them for the season, do it now. And make sure all danger of frost has passed before you bring your houseplants outdoors for their summer vacation. Why and When to PruneEvergreens that need pruning can be pruned now through July 4th. Late season pruning can stimulate new growth that won't harden off before winter. No yard? No problem. Find a Community GardenPlant warm-season vegetables like eggplant, tomatoes and squash in the garden after the last frost date has passed. No room to grow your own? Consider joining a community garden.
JUNE Key IssuesBe on the lookout for pesty spoilers in the garden and landscape! Aphids, bagworms and leaf-eating caterpillars will be making their annual appearance this month. Be sure to properly identify your pest in question before applying any treatment. If using an insecticide, always read and follow all instructions on the label carefully before applying! Not
sure what’s making a feast Diseases can be troublesome, too. Black spot on roses may appear this month. (Fungicides and good cultural practices are just what the plant doctor ordered!) Herbs: The Natural Insect RepellentPlant some herbs for double-duty in the garden: In addition to their use as healthy seasonings, these plants can be used to repel insects in the garden and landscape. Keep all the foliage from your spring-flowering bulbs – daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, etc. – until the leaves have yellowed and ripened. Once they have, remove the leaves and either dispose of them or add them to your compost pile. Before you forget where your bulbs popped up this season, make a diagram of your garden and mark down where all existing bulbs remain. This way you’ll avoid disturbing your established bulbs when you add more plants or other bulbs to the garden. Share it, Save it, Sell it! (The Joys of Extra Produce)Vegetables 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. Continue to pinch hardy mums until mid-July to encourage bushier plants with multiple flowers. Cut back 1/3 of the growth of your fall-blooming asters this month – this will encourage sturdier flower stems come fall. Which Tomato is Right for Me?Vegetables 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. Selecting the Right MulchRemember the many merits of mulch! This helpful material keeps weeds at bay, conserves needed soil moisture, stabilizes soil temperatures and reduces erosion. Pruning Tools & TechniquesPrune spring-flowering shrubs after they’ve finished flowering. Rhododendrons, azaleas, forsythias and lilacs should be pruned now so they have time to set buds for next year’s show of flowers. Stake taller plants before they grow too large and flop over. Use a suitable-size stake for the intended plant. Twist ties or cut strips of panty hose can be used to secure plants to the stake. (Just be sure to allow some slack – don’t make a tourniquet!) A Primer: How to Plant AnnualsPrune spring-flowering shrubs after they’ve finished flowering. Rhododendrons, azaleas, forsythias and lilacs should be pruned now so they have time to set buds for next year’s show of flowers. Water Wise Gardening: Mountain West and High PlainsBe water wise. (Yes, you can have a nice landscape and save water, too!) Rocky Mountain Rose Favoriteseadhead, feed and pamper your beloved roses, and discover more future favorites that do well in your growing climate. |
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