As we are becoming increasingly aware of the vagaries of climate change, we need to zero in on making the right choices in plant material with a focus on native plants, shrubs and trees. These are essential for ensuring that all native pollinators and birds have a sustaining source of nutrition.
Purchase vegetable seeds to start indoors now. Peppers first, follow with tomatoes in April. Do your research on ‘cool’ and ‘warm’ season crops.
Pot up overwintering tubers and bulbs: cannas, dahlias etc. in order to give a head start indoors, before setting out late May.
Once grass has thoroughly dried out, rake and de-thatch as you go. This will allow for applications (of whatever) that follows, to make contact with the soil.
Corn gluten is applied two weeks before dandelions start actively growing: approximately first or second week of April. This is your best defence against annual weeds like dandelions and crabgrass. Successive/repeated applications will improve the results over time.
If corn gluten was applied, two weeks must pass before grass seed goes down otherwise it will not germinate. Lawn seed will only germinate when daytime temperatures are between 16 and 24c and the nights remain cool.
Add some Dutch White clover to your grass seed mix for important biodiversity.
Apply Dormant Oil spray on a windless day above 10c, but before the tips of tree buds show green – a small window of time! This is your best organic defence against chewing/sucking insects which feed on a variety of trees, shrubs and roses.
Keep leaf litter and small twigs etc. on your beds, to do the job of mulching. This is far better than the purchased homogeneous bark mulch which does nothing: it neither decomposes to enrich the soil, nor sustains wildlife.
Check for winter damage to shrubs and trees: prune out ragged and damaged branches. Protect gnawed stems from further rabbit chewing by using chicken wire wrapping.
It’s not unusual for plants to heave slightly out of the ground in the course of the spring thaw. Simply press or heel the plant firmly back in place.
Do not till your soil to make it look fluffy or pretty! Post-tilled soil is far less nutrient rich than before. Tilling also brings thousands of weed seeds to the surface – and who likes that?
Use a compost bin! This is the most nutritious organic matter ever to add to your garden and it is yours, free to make!
Hook up your rain barrels in preparation for spring rains. Take advantage of a downspout or two if you haven’t yet. Your vegetables and potted plants will appreciate the unfiltered and warmer water.
Dust emerging tulips with blood-meal to discourage nibbling critters. Reapply after a rain.
Clean all bird feeders and nesting boxes.
Plant an oak tree! This tree is the most important of all North American tree genus. It supports more life than any other with food, shelter, breeding ground, carbon dioxide storage, air pollution absorption, carbon sequestration, temperature reduction and shading. The only caveat is that most varieties require a large area in which to grow – well away from any buildings!
