WAKE UP! IT’S SPRING!
Spring is so close and so is the time to prepare your plants and lawn for the warm season!
WHAT TO DO?
The weather is getting warmer and the days are longer and you look forward to enjoying your garden once again but…
…let me tell you, your garden needs some preparation! Sit down, get a cuppa, and keep reading!
This is a simple guide to help you help your garden:
Weed and pest management
Soil check
Compost and mulch
Trees, shrubs, and perennials maintenance
Lawn care
WEED AND PEST MANAGEMENT
Weeds are ready to germinate, if they haven’t already and you need to be on top of them. Pull them out and clear the garden beds from any debris.
DESIGNER’S TIP: spread corn gluten meal on the beds. It functions as a pre-emergent and will prevent the weeds from germinating. Your local landscape supply store likely sells it with the name Preen. Follow the label!
If you have caterpillars or beetles larvae, overturn the soil and manually remove them discarding them safely.
2. SOIL CHECK
Pittsburgh and surrounding are notorious for clay soils. It is a good practice to break down the soil in spring to increase its porosity. This will allow more water and air flows creating a better environment for root systems.
If you have raised beds and containers is time to add some soil. Use specific soil for your crops, avoid general top soil.
DESIGNER’S SUGGESTION: if your plants have stunted growth, have your soil tested. Use the guidelines of your local soil testing extension lab. For Pennsylvania you can send your samples to Penn State extension (https://agsci.psu.edu/aasl/soil-testing). Don’t worry, it’s easy!
3. COMPOST AND MULCH
Composting and mulching are probably the most important maintenance practices. They both have numerous benefits, in fact they enrich the soil, balance the soil’s pH, improve soil’s structure, reduce weeds, reduce pests, they are a buffer layer that helps with sudden temperature fluctuations, and improve the look of a garden.
Don’t skip them, your plants will thank you!
TIP: get rid of synthetic landscape fabrics; they won’t stop the weeds from growing on top of them but they will create a sterile and compacted environment, very inhospitable for roots. Use paper mulch yearly instead; it will stop weeds seeds from germinating and it will degrade!
4. TREES, SHRUBS, AND PERENNIALS MAINTENANCE
If you wrapped trees and shrubs in a thermal cloth or burlap, now it’s time to remove it.
If you haven't pruned your trees and shrubs in winter do so now but do NOT prune early bloomer shrubs or trees because you might cut the buds. Go ahead and cut dead branches to improve aesthetic and air and light flow. If you have stakes or supports, relax the ties or replace them. We don’t want to choke the plant now, do we?
If you haven’t cut back the perennials in fall, do so now. They will have more light and space to grow. Clean up matted mulch around their roots. Divide colonizing plants and transplant them.
5. LAWN CARE
Deal with the weeds first! Manually remove them of spread corn gluten meal on your lawn, it helps!
Aeration is a good practice to perform every year. You can use a manual tool or a machine. It will improve the lawn breathability and it gives a chance to incorporate some compost in it.
Overseeding is essential for a healthy and lush lawn. Use a spreader to help you quicken the seeding (don’t forget to water the lawn afterwards).
Fertilize now, but be careful to rainy days! Rain will wash out all the fertilizer so choose a dry week.
Dethatching your lawn every few year will change the game! You can rent a dethatcher at your local landscape equipment supply store. It will remove all dead grass that accumulates at the bottom, it’ll increase air flow and the overall health of your lawn.
FINALLY…Spring is the best time for planting or planning for new beds. Read our blog on Garden styles to learn more about your tastes and then email me at patrizia@gardenaliapgh.net for design inquiries and admin@gardenaliadesign.come for maintenance inquiries. We look forward to helping anyone who needs us!