Laura Dean Bennett
Staff Writer
Now that the last patches of snow are almost gone, if you’re like most folks, you’re itching to get outside and get a few things done.
But for those of us here in the mountains, we can’t start planting until sometime in May, and to be on the safe side – because of the possibility of a late frost – the first week of June.
But even while there’s still snow on the ground, you can get started with some of your spring chores.
First, look about pruning.
Your fruit and ornamental trees and grape vines should be pruned in late February or March – in any event, before they start to bud out.
And be careful about pruning your spring flowering shrubs. You want to wait until after they bloom, or you could cut away many of their flowers.
To be on the safe side again, wait until after forsythia, lilacs, quince, spirea and weigela have finished blooming to prune them.
While cold weather or spring showers keep you from working outside, there’s lots of other gardening preparation that can be done indoors.
Every gardener has a stash of seeds leftover from last year (or the year before).
We save them hoping to use them “next year,” which is a good idea. Many seeds have more than a year lifespan. Stored in a cool, dry place, they may be viable for years.
Place seeds of each type, 10 at a time, on a wet paper towel. Fold the towel over the seeds and tuck the towel into a ziplock bag.
Mark each bag with the name of the seed. Set the bag in a warm place – if you don’t have a seed warmer or a heating pad, the top of the fridge is usually good.
If you use a heating pad, be sure to use the lowest setting and place a towel between the pad and the seeds so that the temperature is just lukewarm.
Your seeds should sprout in seven to 10 days. If you have no sprouting at all, they aren’t going to work, and you’ll need to buy fresh seeds. If seventy percent or more sprout, you can use them in your garden.
Even if you have less germination than seventy percent, you can still plant them. Just know that they won’t all germinate, so plant them closer together than recommended.
After you’ve checked your seeds for viability, you’ll know what seeds you may need to buy.
A cold, rainy spring day is a good time for perusing a seed catalogue or a gardening magazine.
Not only will it give you ideas for this year’s gardening and what flowers to use on the porch, but it will give you the moral support to tackle your outdoor spring cleaning.
Hopefully, last fall you made some garden notes about what you had too much of, what you’ll need to plant more of, what worked out and what didn’t, how much you paid for seeds, plants and supplies.
If you don’t have a gardening journal, now’s the time to start one.
Decide what you want to plant and where you want to plant it. Make notes about where you purchase seeds and baby plants and their price.
Keeping a map of your flowerbeds and gardens will help you stay organized and give you an overview of what you already have growing and where you have room for more plants.
In the fall, when I’m in a hurry to bring everything in before the snow flies, things tend to get a little out of hand in the “green room.”
That’s the little room between the garage and the porch originally planned to be a sort of potting shed. But I’ve never been able to use it as a potting shed.
But I discovered, as it has a skylight, stays warm enough and has a drain in the floor, it’s the perfect place for wintering-over potted perennial flowers and herbs.
It’s also a good place to cram in flowerpots, unused potting soil and tools, porch decorations, hummingbird feeders, summer wreaths and miscellaneous supplies, whether there’s enough space for all of it or not.
If you have a spot like this or, better yet, a real garden shed, don’t wait until the last minute, like I usually do. Get these things out now and get them ready to be used.
If you didn’t clean them up last fall, garden tools will need scrubbing with a wire brush. Remove rust with sandpaper. Sharpen the edges of shovels, spades and clippers with a sharpening tool. Finish by rubbing mineral oil on them.
Shop for potting soil, flowerpots, fertilizer, baby plants and whatever you’ll need. You might even find some on sale.
This is also a good time for a few gardening-related projects-
Make an imaginative scarecrow.
Find a gardening apron or repurpose a toolbox from the garage for garden tools.
Set up a pegboard for hanging tools and make a chalkboard for your garden shed from an old tray and some chalkboard paint.
Find something easily portable and comfortable to use as a garden seat – it will save a lot of back strain.
Build and decorate a new birdhouse or bird feeder.
Create markers to ID vegetables and herbs – tongue depressors and paint stirrers work well for this.
Make or find some steppingstones to use in your garden.
Make a garden windchime out of silverware.
Craft new spring wreaths for your porch and your garden shed.
When the weather improves, it’s time to put on a jacket and your garden gloves, grab your tools and head outside.
Drag downed branches and broken limbs to a burn pile.
Repair fences and if you have a sprinkler system, test it and make sure everything works.
Rake up flower beds and gardens.
As you rake, be careful not to disturb the bulbs under the ground.
And be sure to rake around the tender crocus and daffodil shoots peeking up from underground.
Cut back perennial stems left standing since last fall and trim back last year’s grasses.
Divide hardy perennials such as hostas and daylilies.
Use a wheelbarrow to carry raked-up leaves to the compost bin. While you’re at the compost bin, turn the compost and get it ready to use around the yard.
If you don’t already have a compost bin, now’s the time to start one.
It’s time to fertilize your lawn, your landscaping and your garden. Compost is perfect for enriching flower-beds, lawns and gardens.
If you’re concerned about using dangerous chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, consult your county extension agent for advice on how to control weeds and fertilize without dangerous chemicals.
Part way through your spring clean-up, reward yourself with a trip to your local nursery or garden center. It will give you inspiration and some landscaping ideas.
Nurseries usually have table after table of beautiful flowers and fragrant herbs on display.
Splurge on a few for your porch.
Now, go home – those chores aren’t going to do themselves.
If there are big outdoor “handyman” jobs to do, like repairing or re-sealing a deck or cleaning out gutters, make a list. Gather the supplies and tools you’ll need to get the jobs done.
You might need to organize some help for bigger jobs and put them on the calendar.
It’s most efficient to work from top to bottom.
Clean out clogged gutters and downspouts. While doing that, check your roof for potential leaks, moss or shingle damage.
Pressure wash the outside of your house. Pay attention to the doors and windows. Check for loose or broken screens.
Make sure all your outdoor lighting is working. Clean the fixtures and replace burned-out bulbs.
Sweep, then either scrub or pressure wash your porches. And while you’re at it, check for damaged or decaying wood and make any necessary repairs.
If you need to re-stain or paint, wait until the wood is completely dry before starting. Afterwards, you’ll need at least two warm, dry days for the deck to dry.
Look around at concrete to see if there are any chips or cracks, if so, fix them now, before they can get worse.
Your barbecue grill will need some attention. Check that it’s in good working order.
Give it a good wipe inside and out and scrub the grate with a wire brush.
If it has a propane tank, check that it’s full.
Give patio furniture a good scrubbing with soap and water, even if it’s been in storage.
A pretty wreath, a new outdoor rug and a few flowerpots filled with color coordinated flowers will get your porch ready for summertime entertaining.
Congratulations!
With your outdoor chores all done, it’s time to get the garden planted.
And after that, it’s time to tackle the spring cleaning inside the house.
Oh, dear.
