Spring is here. Now what?

Try to remember last year at this time.  Daffodils were already blooming, it was in the 50-60’s and we already had weeding to do.  This year is vastly different.  We just lost the last of our snow cover from all the storms but I watched the weather at lunch time and they are hinting on more snow for next week.  That is why when gardening you never watch the calender but you do watch for nature’s signs.  They will tell you when it is time to do certain things.

Obviously snow in mid March isn’t here for a very long time so even if it does come down it will melt quickly. Time for chores is here  so here is what I do.  First don’t go slogging around in garden beds when the soil is muddy.  This doesn’t do anyone any good.  Always leave the soil until it is moist but crumbly.  Sort of like chocolate cake.  When it is like this you can think about planting some seeds.

March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day and is traditionally the day to plant your first peas.  I almost always plant them on this date but conditions dictate where.  If it is warm and dry they can go right into a row in the veg garden.  If it is colder and muddy they sometimes can do well in the raised bed area as this drains off faster than the garden.  Once or twice I’ve planted them in pots sitting in the path of the garden.  I don’t get much from these but it makes me feel happy that I’ve done it.

Other than that at this time of year you should collect fallen branches( of which there are many this year) and make brush piles either for burning later or as a habitat for beneficials to nest in.  Then you can get the pruning done on your fruit trees.  Take off all water sprouts and any damaged, diseased or dead branches.  Then work your way to the very vertical, crossed or otherwise annoying branches. When done your trees should look like a bird could fly through without much difficulty.  This allows the fruit to get ripened by the sun as well as helps with good air circulation to help prevent rotting.

As soon as it dries out a bit start on edging and raking and then it will be time to spread compost. More on that later

Cheers!

Skimmia japonica and dafodils

 

tags: | March 12th, 2013

2 Responses

  1. Julie Jennings says:

    thanks for the invite to your blog by way of a mutual friend in charleston sc!!! hope to meet you some day and see your creations. In the meantime we will be dreaming of those magnolia buds opening up and kinder gentler spring next year!!!

    • sarahlavalley says:

      Hi Julie,
      Thanks for the comment and I hope you enjoy the blog going forward. I keep dreaming of spring even though we just got 5 more inches last night!
      Take care,
      Sarah

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