Classes This Saturday, April 2
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"I can't wait!," is your resounding refrain in the last couple of weeks. Well, don't then! We've got three great classes coming up that will inspire you to: Get out into the vegetable garden now, work on some of your challenges and have you planting a mini magical world.
Take one (or all) of these classes, we'd love to see you.
-Early Vegetable Crops
-Back to Basics Success
-Miniature Garden Construction (an idea at right)
Also coming up at the end of April, take our Perennial Walk & Talk class.
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Have some fun with plants
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Even though the temperatures are still on the chilly side, you can get instant color with pansies. They are fragrant and tough in cool weather. Pansies are well worth the effort! By the weekend we will also have cold season vegetable plants in the greenhouse. Plus, go ahead and plant radish seeds and other cool season crops. Click here for a guide to cool season vegetables. You could be the first person on your block with a homegrown salad!
At last, it's time to start your tomato and pepper plants from seed! Follow our steps for seed starting indoors to get the best results, and plants, for your garden. Click here to find our guide.
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Give houseplants some TLC
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If you have houseplants, now is the perfect time to repot them if they are in need. When repotting, choose a container that is just about an inch larger in diameter than the current one for optimum plant health.
Also, now is the time to begin fertilizing your houseplants after their winter slumber. They are starting to grow again and they will respond nicely to the boost.
One of the most popular type of houseplants currently are air plants or tillandsia. Discover a variety of these neat plants and ways to display them in your home. At right, we've displayed several in a terrarium with decorations.
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Outdoors: Pruning & the Pond
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Pond enthusiasts know only too well that keeping algae at bay is an important part of the hobby. So, here's your reminder to conduct your spring pond cleanout. Honestly, we feel this step may be the single most important part of keeping the pond in good shape throughout the season. Click here for a guide.
I'm really excited to see my forsythia shrubs are about to burst into their yellow glory....just waiting for the next sunny day. I also noticed that they will need pruning when they are done flowering. Forsythia and lilac are similar this way: Only prune after flowering. However, numerous shrubs can be pruned now. So can fruit trees as long as their buds are not showing color. If so, we advise you wait until next winter. Hold off on evergreens until June. We're glad to answer your questions about whether or not to prune your shrubs and trees.
Also, you can still undertake dormant spraying of fruit trees as long as the buds are not showing color as well. The dormant spray step can help eliminate a large percentage of insect and fungal problems on fruit trees and crabapple trees. Stop in for a schedule and products to guide your spray program. |
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