From Mélie’s Garden 2013
At long last, winter is almost behind us with the arrival of March. Even though a snowstorm is still possible and windy days will still be with us, we can look forward to the ospreys return around the first day of spring on March 20th. Other birds will soon follow, announcing the beginning of the gardening year.
The Spring ‘To Do’ List
- Start feeding indoor houseplants again, now that the days are longer and check for bugs. A good drench in the shower or insecticidal soap will help if you find a problem.
- Finish pruning trees while they are still dormant to avoid disease.
- Prune boxwood and other evergreen shrubs.
- Review Gardening notes taken in the fall of changes you want to make.
Plants to be moved and plants added.
Beds to be changed or edged.
Views to be created or opened up – all clearing should be finished by the end of April.
- Weeds – pull out anything green in the flowerbeds, if it isn’t a bulb, it is a weed.
- Order seeds and start ones indoors that need a bit more growing time.
Seed catalogs, online, have good seed starting schedules.
- Gardener Margaret Roach says plant tomato seeds on tax day, April 15th.
- Memorial Day is the earliest planting time for seedlings on Fishers Island, unless you have a very protected garden from the wind.
- Cool weather crop seeds, like sweet peas, lettuce, spinach and chard can be planted once the ground is ready to be worked.
- Plan your vegetable garden remembering to rotate your crops.
- Check your soil, especially in the vegetable garden and add compost if needed.
- Google UConn Soil Nutrient Analysis Lab and follow the instructions to send soil samples to be tested for $8.00.
- Add organic fertilizer to you flowerbeds.
- Put down Hollytone around acid loving plants and evergreens.
- Clean bird feeders and birdhouses with 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.
- Oil and organize your gardening tools and buy new ones if needed.
