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Week of 3/28 – 4/3
March 28 – If late-seasons snow is in the forecast, cover vulnerable plants with plastic, sheets or even blankets – even if it’s just for one night. Scoop up mulch around the base of perennials. Spray flowering and fruit trees with the hose if possible – a coating of water helps!
March 29 – Deadhead spent bulb flowers promptly. It prevents the plants from expending vital energy to form seeds. Also, removing flowers past their prime keeps your display fresh looking.
March 30 – If you want to improve your chances of success, pre-sprout potatoes before they go into the ground. Choose firm specimens, free from blemishes or rot. Simply spread them on on a tray – without touching one another. Set the tray in a sunny, warm indoor location.
March 31 – If you’re finding your tulips on top of the ground instead of under the soil, you may have hungry rodents like mice or squirrels on the prowl. Replant the survivors and the try sprinkling dried blood around the bed or laying evergreen boughs over the plants until they have grown about a foot tall. Bythe way, moles will not be the culprits – they are carnivorous.
April 1 – If you ordered bare-root perennials from a mail-order nursery, you may start receiving some shipments soon. Always open the package immediately and inspect the contents. If everything is okay, you can hold the plants in the refrigerator or other cold (but not freezing) spot until you are ready to plant. Sprinkle a little water on them every few days.
April 2 – Prune your decidous trees and shrubs – if you haven’t already. Buds are swelling and new growth has started. Plants will bounce back from cuts made now because they are full of energy. Use sharp clippers or loppers. Remove branches that rub together or mar the symmetry or appearance. Thin out the interiors, too.
April 3 – Prune your rosebushes while they are still dormant. Take out any damaged canes as well as crossed stems. You can shorten undamaged canes to shape the plants, but never cut back by more than one third at any one time.
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