March 2019 Tips

Dear Gardening Friends, We made it to April!!! Even though there is snow on the ground today (4/1) we know spring is in the air. Snowdrops are up and I’ve seen some crocus as well. The conditions in your yard may be different from mine but mine is still too wet to work in and the soil way too cold. Once the night temps get warmer the soil will start to warm up. The following are some things you can do while waiting to work in the soil: - First, the reasons to stay off the wet ground is that the weight of your footprint causes compaction of the soil. Basically it’s like squishing a sponge. This makes the soil more dense and difficult for the roots to grow through as well as harder for water to penetrate. Another reason is you may be stepping on a plant that hasn’t poked its head above the soil yet. Yes, this is frustrating and you just want to get out there and clean up, but if you leave a footprint stay off! - Rake up winter debris from roadsides and garden beds that you can reach. - Pick up sticks and other debris. If you can’t reach it from a path or walkway a rake can be used to pull it closer to you. - Cut back last year’s leaves from Lentin Rose and other perennials with evergreen foliage including grasses. Be careful not to snip off any of the new growth at the bottom. - This is still an ideal time to prune shrubs and trees that don’t bloom in spring. The buds are just starting to swell so you can see what’s alive from what’s not. - Before starting any pruning projects clean and sharpen and disinfect (10 % Clorox solution or Lysol) your tools. It makes a huge difference. - Gently rake up leaves and mulch that may be over areas where bulbs and early perennials like daylilies are poking through. I always leave some leaves as protection for late season snow & frost. We are bound to have some of both before consistently warmer weather arrives. Remember the final average frost is LATE MAY! - This is a perfect time for “wishful thinking”. What changes do you want to make, plants to add, move, divide or remove? First consider the site, light, type of soil etc. THEN research plants suited to that site. - As the soil and air warm up you will be able to divide and move plants. Remember the soil has to be 50 degrees and “workable”. If a perennial comes up looking like a doughnut with an empty center or has had reduced bloom, those are signs it needs to be divided. - If you need advice on how to transplant, divide, prune, what to plant etc. contact me for a consultation. Upcoming Plant Sales & Garden Events: Put them on your calendar now! Lessons from Nature and Amanda’s Garden Native and Perennial Plant Sale. Saturday, May 18th , 9:00 – 2:00. 170 Pine St., E Aurora, corner of Pine & Lawrence. Clients and those of you who get my tips can come at 8:00 and beat the rush. We will have a larger variety of native plants on that one day than anywhere in WNY. All my plants are dug fresh from my garden and those from Amanda’s Garden are started from seed by Ellen. Fultz, the owner. I will also have a selection of non-native perennials, hypertufa containers, draped concrete planters and birdbaths. A listing of what plants will be available will be in the May Garden Tips and on my web site – lessonsfromnature.biz Master Gardener Plant Sale, Friday May 24, 8:30 – 3:00, Saturday May 25, 8:30 – 2:00, First Presbyterian Church, 1 Symphony Circle, across from Kleinhans. Perennials for sun and shade, natives, annuals, succulents, hypertufa and draped concrete pots, vegetable starts, herbs, shrubs and garden art. East Aurora Garden Club Perennial Sale, Saturday, May 25 th 8:30 – till sold out. It’s in the Village plaza on Grey Street where Tops is. The sale is located under the roof overhang between TJ Max and Pet Smart. Evans Garden Club, 13th Annual Plant Auction on Saturday May 11, 9am - 1 pm.   The Evans Center Fire Hall, 8298 Erie Rd (Route 5). Don’t forget to contact me for a garden consult. I can help improve your garden and gardening practices. Happy Gardening! Lyn Chimera Lessons from Nature 170 Pine St. E. Aurora, NY 14052 [email protected] 652-2432 Copyright © 2014 Lessons From Nature, All rights reserved. You're receiving this message because you requested to receive Lessons from Nature newsletters. Our mailing address is: Lessons from Nature 37 N Union Rd Williamsville, NY 14221 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences