Not too early to start planning summer garden

The last of the leisurely winter gardening days are approaching. Take advantage of the slow pace to get some of these chores done this week.

You see the rain, you feel the cold, so don’t think we’re crazy, but it’s time to plan your summer garden. Check out seed catalogs, peruse websites and start plotting out those plots. It will be planting time before you know it.

Plant bare root fruit and shade trees, roses, shrubs and vines. It’s also time to plant bare root artichokes, asparagus, blackberries, grapes, raspberries, rhubarb and strawberries.

Start seeds indoors of cool-season leafy vegetables such as lettuce, Swiss chard and spinach. Once it gets a bit warmer, you can plant them in your garden for a late winter, early spring harvest.

We’ve had some good rains so if you’re out and about, try to stay off planting areas to avoid compacting the soil. You also shouldn’t be doing a lot of digging or working the soil when it’s saturated. That can create lumps and clumps in your soil that will be hard to deal with later.

Pull those winter weeds before they set seed.

Keep an eye out for snail and slug damage. Hand pick, trap or use iron phosphate baits if you’re having a problem with them. There also is wildlife out there that will feast on them without making too much of a mess in your garden.

Do you still have your Christmas tree hanging around? Don’t worry, we don’t judge. You can chop it up and use it around mulch for acid-loving plants, or tuck it away in the corner of your yard for the birds and smaller creatures to find shelter in during these cold days and nights.