GARDENING PLANNER

Timeline for chores is weather dependent. We’ve not had consistent temperatures all winter, and it’s important to wait until soil is warm enough for gardening activities. Cutting back stems on perennials should only be done after day and night temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees. This allows insect larvae and eggs in hollow stems time to emerge.

Perennials should not be divided until we reach the 50-degree mark. You can, however, decide which clumps can be divided and where you will put the divisions. Pruning of spring blooming shrubs and trees should take place after they have bloomed. As soon as the bloom is done, prune immediately.

Knowing what is hardy in our zone is important so you don’t purchase plants that can’t take our winter cold. Search nurseries and online dealers for zone 6b plants.

Keep winter protection/mulch until midApril. Have sheets or row covers ready in case of extreme cold weather or snow after that.

Plant summer blooming bulbs after the soil is warm, in late April. Before then the soil is too cold and damp and bulbs will rot, after then is too late for them to get growing. You can plant bulbs in containers in April as the soil will be warmer.

Start fertilizing tropicals that you have kept indoors for winter in March. Re-pot them in April if they have outgrown their containers. Plant sales are advertising now for later dates. Don’t buy in April with the thought of putting plants out then, as it’s still too cold. You can pot them in containers and protect them from cold weather by putting them in an unheated garage or shed at night and out in part sun during the day.

Source: MetroParks education coordinator Betty Hoevel