First day of spring? When you’re in the garden
I’ve been hearing more this year about meteorological spring and astronomical spring. Meteorologists and climatologists define seasons differently. Meteorological spring began on March 1, while astronomical spring, the one we’re used to, arrived on March 20. Neither one means much to gardeners.
Spring for me arrives and winter ends on the first day I can enjoy working in the garden. I call it garden spring, and dates may differ. It’s down to the individual to define their own garden spring. This year spring arrived in my garden on March 6 when I did a little pruning; for others, it might not arrive until May 24. I have to say that over the past week or two there have been a few days that others will have designated as their first day of garden spring, and there are more potential ones ahead.
There is a lot that can be accomplished this month. Already I’ve seen keeners out with their lawn rakes, eagerly raking every bit of thatch from the lawn. If the lawn is still soggy, it’s best to stay off it until it dries out or you’ll be squishing worms and harming the soil structure. As for removing thatch, go easy. Sure, rake up surface debris, but thatch does more good than harm, providing it isn’t excessive, and it rarely is on most lawns. Less than half an inch or a centimetre is fine.
As this organic matter breaks down it will be feeding the new grass, a natural fertilizer. As for fertilizer, June is soon enough to apply it. A slow release type is best with little or no phosphorus. The numbers on a bag of fertilizer represent the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium it contains — for example, 28-0-8.
As for leaves and dead plant material on flower beds, I’m in no hurry to remove it unless there’s a thick layer covering perennials. I leave most of it alone to break down in place — more free fertilizer. New plant growth soon hides it. Another reason not to disturb it is many beneficial insects, particularly pollinators, are still hiding there in their winter quarters, in the leaves and plant debris or the soil below.
One job I do take care of after the lawn is dried out is edge the flower beds. I try not to take much off the lawn, but I have noticed that my flower beds look a lot wider than they used to be. Funny how lawns shrink this way ... I only need to do this once a year and it’s a lot easier than trying to straighten up plastic edging strips.
Down in the vegetable garden, once it’s dried out, I’ll dig it over, mainly because the soil is heavy and it becomes compacted over winter. The no-till method, however, results in healthier soil. If your veggie garden is in raised beds and it hasn’t been tramped on, a light raking with a top dressing of compost may be all it needs.
As for mulch, I like to wait until the soil has warmed up before putting down a layer.
Before leaves begin to sprout later this month is the time to use a dormant oil spray on trees and shrubs that are susceptible to insects or fungal diseases. It’s especially helpful on fruit trees and roses. Do it on a calm, sunny day as the sulphur component rivals a skunk for stinkiness. The oil part ensures it will stick to branches and to clothing, pets and any stray children. In case you’re concerned, dormant oil sprays are organic in nature and one of the few things permitted under Ontario pesticide regulations to deal with the above.
Sunny with temperatures in the midteens? Now that’s a good indicator of garden spring, so call it when you’re ready.