Early March can be a tricky time for new gardeners to our region, even seasoned gardeners. Those balmy days make us think it’s time to plant flowers and vegetables. Then we get zapped by spring snows and frosts. Now is the time to pay attention to the weather and plan accordingly. 

Prepare the soil

Most of our soils are typically clay, though mountainous areas are often granite-based and rocky. Soils near creek beds can be sandy and drain too fast. Adding EKO COMPOST or EKO CLAY BUSTER to our soil types will improve soil structure. In clay, compost will add pore spaces between the tight clay particles to improve aeration and drainage.  In rocky and sandy soils, compost will help hold the moisture and make nutrients more available.  Remember, that soil improvement does not happen overnight, it is a continual process. 

 How to Amend the Soil

Soil is ready to work when it is thawed, but not too wet or soggy. Resist the urge to dig or mix wet soils as this will result in clods or lumps, and often destroy soil structure.

 Add a two-inch layer of compost over the gardening area and then incorporate this compost to a depth of six inches or more. If you are digging planting holes for trees, shrubs, vines, and other plants, refill the holes with a mixture that consists of 25 percent compost with 75 percent of the soil dug for the hole. To make it simple, add one-fourth compost to three-fourths of your native soil. 

Check Mulches

It’s a good time to check mulched beds and other areas where organic mulches were applied.  If needed, refresh mulch that is becoming thin or blown away by wind. Leave mulch on perennial beds until the plants start to emerge and as the weather dictates. Remember, plants have built-in mechanisms that trigger their growth.  Mulch protects perennials from freezing temperatures and in part will delay early emergence.  Gradually pull back mulch from bulbs and perennials as they emerge for light and air circulation. Leave snow on spring-flowering bulbs as it protects them from severe cold.

Prune junipers

If needed, it’s time to prune junipers that are overgrowing their boundaries. Thin out scraggly branches and head back stretching growth. It’s an art to prune properly and maintain the natural growth habit. 

Prune deciduous trees

To maintain the tree’s natural growth and appearance, plus allow air and sunlight to reach the canopy, pruning is necessary. Main branches growing from the trunk should have wide angles of attachment with the trunk. Branches should be spaced evenly from one another and be arranged around the trunk in a pattern like spokes around a wagon wheel.  Remove branches that crisscross or hang directly over another. Trim out suckers that grow from the base of the tree.

To remove larger branches be sure to make proper cuts. Near the base of a branch is a swelling called the “branch collar”. Make the cut just outside of the collar. Do not cut flush to the trunk or branch, and don’t leave a stub beyond the “branch collar”.

If you cleaned out your annual pots you can recycle both the old plants and the soil, by either putting them right on your gardens or by putting them in your compost pile.

You can significantly reduce the number of overwintering insect larvae by turning the soil in the flower beds now, especially where geraniums and petunias were grown last year.

Tree wrap is important protection for young trees. The purpose is to keep the tree’s bark temperature consistent. Start wrapping at the bottom and overlap up to the first set of branches. In the Denver metro area wrap the trees in mid November, and remove the wrap about April 1st.

Protect tender shrubs, like rhododendrons, azaleas, hollies, etc. during the winter months from drying winds by providing a barrier made from a frame wrapped in burlap and placed on the north and west sides of each shrub.

Make good use of our winter snow by shoveling the snow on to your lawn, trees, shrubs and perennial beds.

Move houseplants away from heat vents if you have forced air heating. Houseplants will benefir from added humidity. Humidifiers are great, but you can also use a pebble tray. Take an oversized saucer, add pebbles, and fill halfway with water, then place your plant on the pebbles. Add the water evaporates, add more, but don’t let the plant sit in water. Be alert to cold drafts, especially for ficus, philodendron, begonias and gardenias.

Shorter days mean less growth for houseplants. Water only when your plants require it, but use the same amount each time you water. Use fertilizer at half strength every other time you water until mid March. Try to let your plantsreceive as much light as possible during the darker winter days.

Cyclamen are great plants for brightening your home during the holidays. Cyclamen prefer a cool, dry and bright location. The pink, red, white or maroon flowers will continue for weeks.

Holiday cacti are beautiful with red, pink or white flowers. To ensure flowers for Christmas, keep your plant in a room with bright daylight hours and no light after sunset. They prefer cooler rooms about 55 degrees.  Keep the soil on the dry side in November. Flower buds should set and the plants will be in flower by late December.

Amaryllis is the most majestic of all the holiday plants. To have blooms at Christmas, plant Amaryllis bulbs 7-10 weeks earlier. African Amaryllis will bloom in as little as 4 weeks. Choose a pot about 2″ wider than the bulb, and one that is heavy enough to keep from tipping. Fill the pot part way with potting mix. Set the bulb so that the top 1/3 of the bulb will be above the top of the soil when you fill the pot to 1″ below the top edge of the pot. Give the plant about 4 hours of bright light per day. Plant every 2 weeks for a spectacular color show all winter.

Paperwhites are bulbs that can be planter indoors every two weeks for continuous flowering through the holidays. Paperwhites come in white or yellow and are very fragrant.

To bring fragrance in to your home during the holidays don’t forget herbs. Rosemary, lavender and thyme along with many other herbs will add a pleasing aroma to your home. Use the wonderful scent of fresh greens and pine trees to add to the traditional holiday atmosphere.

Make sure there is an opening in the ice in your pond. A pond de-icer will keep an opening so gases can escape and your fish will stay healthy.

If the animal repellents you have been using aren’t working anymore, try switching products. Animals can become accustomed to one scent, and the products lose their effectiveness.

Read more about Richlawn organic lawn fertilizer or find a local merchant who supplies Richlawn garden products.

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