Down the Garden Path

Mulching trees will control most weeds, conserve soil moisture and lessen the time in the yard trimming after you are done mowing the lawn.

When the weather finally decides to get warm, and stay warm, it is time to get those houseplants outdoors for the summer to recharge and to let the summer rains rinse off the dirt, dust and grime from being inside for months.

Nimblewill will not green up until both the soil and air temperatures get warmer and then it blends into the rest of the lawn.

In any year, planning when you are going to set out the variety of transplants you have grown or purchased is dependent on what you believe is going to be that average or absolute frost-free date.

Creeping Charlie, also called ground ivy, often is the No. 1 complaint I have in spring while talking lawn care with homeowners and garden club members.

Perennials also have a place in most garden designs. Hosta, bleeding hearts and ferns for the shade; coneflower, Shasta daisy, mums and daylilies for the sun.

Tender vegetables typically are planted on the average frost-free date where there is a 50/50 chance there will be a frost.

If the decision is to treat with a crabgrass preventer – which can control other annual grassy weeds – timing is critical.

Calls and emails to the office and Master Gardener Help Desk this time of year are often a mix of “When can I…?” or “Is it too late to…?” questions.

While we continue to experience weather that is warm one day, cold and snowy the next, there are some really basic gardening tasks that can be done.

If you start your own flower and vegetable transplants, it is time to round up the materials you will need to be successful.

A rainfall of one inch per hour on a 1,000 square foot surface will yield 10 gallons of water per minute, so it is possible to fill that barrel with the first rain event of the season.

Many of our ornamental flowering trees and shrubs have their new flower buds ready and waiting right now.

Be sure to continue your feeding efforts well into spring until the birds can find food on their own.

Proper care allows more time to enjoy this gift of natural beauty.