I love a good spring gardening ritual and uncovering tender plants for the first time is an exciting and nerve-racking task for gardeners.
After the long cold winter full of rain some plants may not have survived the journey through hibernation. Gunnera, lemon trees, bananas, tree palms and other tender plants should have most of their winter protection removed by this time. For my gunnera, it has been a long sleep through the wet winter and I recently uncovered "gunny" to see that she had multiple leaves emerging on all crowns after winter's long slumber. Removing winter protection is just one of several spring gardening tasks that should be completed soon. I encourage everyone to do things in the garden that have purpose and provide benefit while avoiding tasks that harm the environment, soil or plants. So here are a few good and bad spring gardening chores.
Spring is the wrong time to fertilize: The conventional wisdom of "spring is the time to fertilize" is one of the most incorrectly prescribed wisdoms for the garden. Not only is spring fertilization likely to leach through the soil into the ocean due to our high rainfall, but most trees, shrubs and perennials regrow in spring from stored energy in the bud, making fertilization unnecessary. If you feel the need to feed in spring then apply compost or animal manure to the garden. Those organic amendments provide a structural and antibiotic boost to soil and plants that no chemical fertilizer can supply.
Time to clean the garden? I think not: This annual ritual started over a half century ago is one of the most damaging spring practices in the garden. Biomass, meaning fallen leaves, sticks, twigs and plant stalks, is one of the most protective, valuable and synergistic resources for soil and plants. Raking away every last strip of fallen leaf or debris harms soil organism by denying them a food source.
Excessive cleanliness strips away organisms that build soil and removes a protective layer of natural mulch that will be needed for the coming summer drought. If you must clean and preen the garden, do so lightly and don't remove everything. Or cover up all that earthly goodness with a fresh new layer of mulch.
To prune or not to prune? Spring is the least beneficial time of year to prune most trees and shrubs. Yes the hedge may need a trim but avoid pruning trees that may bleed sap or shrubs that may be coming into bloom. Pruning for the sake of pruning is insanity and so is pruning because a plant is too big, transplanting is cheaper and more beneficial in the long run. Spring pruning is recommended for sub-shrubs like rosemary or Russian sage (Perovskia species), rockrose (Cistus species) and lavender. Those shrubs should be pruned as hard as possible to visible buds only on the stem to remove winter damaged tips, flowers and encourage bushiness.
What are those gaps in between the pavers or flagstone? Spring is the ideal time to re-fill gaps and holes in between paving stones or flagstones. Use sharp sand or fine crusher dust and sweep it into holes and joints to firm up the surface and prevent degradation of the paving structure.
If you don't want weeds later then pull them now: Preventing weed growth in spring is easier and cheaper than removing the grown weeds of summer. Spend some time pulling those early flowering weeds and digging any pesky perennial weeds that got missed last year. Then apply mulch to all affected areas to prevent further germination of weed seeds. You will thank yourself later.
Should I divide my perennials in spring? I am generally against division of most perennials in spring because new growth has begun and it's easily damaged during division. And damaged leaves don't enhance the spring garden. I recommend fall or late winter division of all perennials grown here on the coast to avoid damaging the spring garden display.
Spring is for planting: Almost any plant can be planted in spring. For hardy trees and shrubs late frost is little problem. Tender plants like geraniums should be acclimatized to spring temperatures before being fully planted out. Annuals can be hardened for planting but winter has not fully gone South, so wait a little longer to plant out annuals for summer bedding.
Cut the grass, no not that grass: Most ornamental grasses should have been cut back in March but at higher elevations and for late comers, April is still a good time to cut back grasses. Always cut grasses as low as possible to prevent a buildup of dead stems but avoid cutting new growth.
Most importantly, take or make time to enjoy the lush, new foliage and cheerful flowers of spring.
Todd Major is a journeyman horticulturist and chief horticulture instructor at the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden. For advice contact him at [email protected]
