Now this is what I'm talkin' about!
Can you smell it??? That distinctive, fresh, Spring is close smell in the air?? There just aint nothin else like it!! My favorite time of the year! The whole world just wakes up and everything starts coming alive!!! Love it...Love it...LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!
I know....enough with the excitement! Ok, then let's talk about what all needs to be done in this great month of March. Since I have been telling you all the same thing every March for years now, you should already know, but let's briefly re-hash the important stuff just in case some of you are getting to the memory problem years like myself.
1. Sharpen all of your pruning equipment. Dull pruning shears do not cut! They shred, tear, mangle and mutilate your landscape investments which also provides nasty places for disease and insect infestations to start..
2. Prune all your landscape plants this month while they are still dormant except for azaleas, lilacs, forsythia, "big leaf hydrangeas" (lace caps and mop heads with the darker green rough serrated edged leaves) and anything else I missed here that blooms in the spring. But, remember to prune these things within 3 weeks after they finish blooming since they will need the entire year to store up goodies to be able to bloom again next spring. Also, if you did not prune your Spruce trees late last fall and still want to then get to it ASAP. Remember, when pruning the central leader on top, try not to cut it to less than 10-12" long as any shorter will probably force growth out through the middle and make it more squatty looking. Unless of course you want the squatty look! 2. Clean up all your pruning debris and other winter junk and fall left overs that have accumulated around your plants and in the beds.
3. Fertilize all your plants with at least a 12-12-12 fertilizer or a time release formulation like Osmocote would be even better. Also remember to fertilize your evergreens with a more acidic fertilizer. If you are in doubt just come to the Nursery as we have what you need here. This should be done when soil temps reach at least 40 degrees. Probably around 3rd week this year depending on Ma Nature of course.
4. Apply a pre-emergent weed inhibitor such as Preen or Treflan. Hint: Treflan is less expensive and available here at the Nursery. Remember, it is extremely important to apply either prior to a nice soaking rain or beneath your mulch as they become ineffective after 48 hours of ex poser to sunlight.
5. Apply mulch around your plants but no more than 3" deep and remember to keep the mulch at least 5-6" away from the trunks of
trees. Too much mulch is as bad or worse than too little.
6. Prune fruit trees, grape vines and any ornamental trees that do not bloom in the spring.
7. If you are a DIY lawn taker care of type of person then this month is the time to apply "Dimension" pre-emergent to your lawn to prevent any crabgrass from showing it's nasty ugly head. Sometime around mid
month to 3rd week would be good. Whenever the Forsythia are blooming would be about right.
Hint: We have Dimension and spring lawn 19-0-5 fertilizer combination available here at the Nursery. Great one step process with more bang for your buck.
8. Remove any tree wrap you may have had on the trunks of young trees to prevent scalding due to the overheating of the bark.
9. Clean out your bird houses! Important for our fine feathered friends.
and
10. Hmmm...Can't think of anything else but you know you just have to have 10 things. Hmmm...How about....take another deep, deep breath of that delicious Spring air!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Hope to see you all soon!
