Soon enough, the place will be a jungle. It's always hard to believe this time of year, but in a month, plant growth will be exponential. March and early April calls on us to get into the garden and clean out the proverbial closet! Here are my top tasks activities for early spring. - Weed - First, change your perspective on weeding. This is your opporunity for connection with your landscape, to get to know your plants and soil, and to get a little nature time. Get on top of those weeds now to make your life much easier come late spring and summer. As soon as the days become longer, weeds will take longer to tackle, and be taking nutrients from the plants that you do want in your garden. While you're in the flow, trim back any spent stems and blooms that you did not trim in the fall. Take care to not cut into new plant growth (but notice and appreciate how much has come in already!)
- Mulch - Cover the area with mulch immediately after weeding, which will create a tidy appearance, but more importantly reduce light exposure to decrease future weed growth, increase bio-diversity and maintain moisture in your soil. As always, use a shredded mulch, avoid cedar (as it will not decompose), and dyed bark mulches.
- Walk your garden and take note. How are your plants doing? Are any struggling? Are some getting too large for the space? Keep a mental note of what actions you may take this year: dividing a plant that's too large might be earmarked for the late fall, fertilizing and removing damaged leaves on a struggling plant can happen now, and removing runners from plants that enjoy taking over is much easier now than later.
- Prune - now is the time for light pruning for shape and the health of your shrubs and trees. Inquire with a professional if you're unfamiliar with proper technique.
- Take note of what you'll want to plant, as planting season is starting! When you're designing your garden, think of what you'll want to see next year at this time. Were their areas of the garden that were ripe for interest over the winter? Let's add plants now that will bring joy next winter!
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Royal Green Designs is a new landscape design company located in the Central District of Seattle. With a focus on native, pollinator-attracting, edible and perennial plantings, our gardening approach will set you on the path to growing a useful and gorgeous personal landscape. If you know of someone who might be interested in this topic and newsletter, please send it along. |
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to a beautiful season, Stacey |
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hello@royalgreendesigns.com * www.royalgreendesigns.com |
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SEATTLE, WA 98122-2830, United States |
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