Early Spring Gardening Tasks

April showers bring may flowers and with April here now is the time to get out and get gardening.  Here are some tasks you should be doing in early spring.

NOTE:  IF YOUR GARDEN OR LAWN FEELS SPONGY UNDER FOOT STAY OFF UNTIL FIRM.  WALKING ON SOAKED SOIL WILL CREATE COMPACTION AND HARM YOUR GARDENING MORE THAN YOU’LL HELP IT.

LAWNS:

• Remove debris (sticks, stones, garbage etc).
• Fix mole damage and or tunnels and apply blood meal to prevent further damage.  (moles are controlled by getting rid of grubs once soil temperatures warm).
• Rake and de-thatch.
• Aerate if compacted.
• Top-dress and reseed to thicken.
• For established lawns fertilize with CIL Golfgreen 20-0-5 slow release.
• If crabgrass was a problem last season apply CIL BIO Weed and Feed with corn gluten (note you cannot re-seed your lawn when applying CIL BIO Weed and Feed as it will coat both annual weed and grass seed and prevent germination).

GARDENS:

• Remove debris (leaves, old annuals from last season, garbage etc).
• Prune dead wood and broken branches.
• Cut back dead growth on existing perennials.
• Amend soil with Nature Mix Annual and Perennial Soil.
• Plant frost tolerant annuals to add colour (my favourite are pansies).
• Before Fruit , Shade trees and flowering shrubs crack bud apply Dormant Spray Kit (rids over wintering disease and insects.
• Create a garden budget and plan with the ultimate goal of selecting the right plant for the right place.

VEGETABLE GARDENS:

• Remove debris.
• Amend Soil with Nature Mix Herb and Vegetable or Composted Manures (my favorite manure is sheep).
• Start Tomato and Peppers indoors (only if you need a ton of tomato plants).
• Purchase Seed Potatoes (selection goes quickly).
• Create a plan for the vegetable garden remember always grow what you eat.
• For those creating a veggy garden for the first time one key is to plant in full sun the next recommendation is to build a raised 4 x 8 box but do not use pressure treated lumber as the sealant could leach into your soil.

THIS SHOULD GET YOU GROWING!!!

FRANKIE