THE SPRING SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
Here we are in the last week of February. Basically, up to this point, I have no complaints about winter. Yes, we had a little snow and a few cold days but –hey, it is winter. I keep saying that the weather in Virginia can be fickle. And, I think fickle is a good word to use to describe our winter this year.
We are seeing a little activity with bulbs, such as daffodils, beginning to pop up out of the ground. Customers are reporting that their KnockOut roses are on the verge of breaking dormancy. The beautiful Daphne Odora, “February Daphne”, is in bud and bloom. I can go on and on but the point that I am trying to make is: ARE YOU READY FOR MARCH?
I wish I had a crystal ball to see what our weather will be like for the coming weeks. So many of us are ready to get outside and enjoy our gardens once again.
I have a soil thermometer that I read regularly. At this point in late February, our soil temperature is sitting at 45 degrees – not as warm as last year at this same time. But, our ground soil is not frozen and is moist which allows for planting at any time.
We have plants and plant products arriving every day to get ready for the upcoming busy planting season.
We have a good selection of cole crop vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, spinach, kale, collards, etc. that thrive in cooler soil and air temperatures.
We are doing our part in getting new stock into the garden center to get ready to help you with all your gardening needs. We are filling up.
As you plan for the spring, just keep this in mind: Remember the rule of “the right plant in the right place” to maximize plant vigor and health throughout the season. Consider soil, slope, amount of sunlight, space and size, hardiness zone, drainage, exposure, and soil pH. If the site is naturally dry, select drought-tolerant plants. Don’t forget to consider the final size that the tree or shrub will become at maturity.
ALERT — BEFORE DIGGING AROUND YOUR PROPERTY, STATE LAW REQUIRES YOU CALL MISS UTILITY @ 811 TO HAVE YOUR UTILITY LINES PROFESSIONALLY MARKED.
All national garden professionals are predicting that spring 2021 is going to be very exciting. I can’t wait!!!
PLANT A LITTLE HAPPINESS!!!!!!!!!!
Is now the time to cut back knock out roses in RVA?
Mellisa,
Happy Thursday.
Yes, this is an excellent time to cut back your Knock Out roses. And, this is an excellent time to give your roses their first feeding for the season. I particularly like the ESPOMA ROSE TONE. Our weather is beautiful this week to get outside and do some needed gardening. Doug
Is it too late to prune my roses right now?
No, not at all. Now is still a good time to prune your roses. What is making this a good time was the cold, wintry weather that we had in mid- February. That cold weather kept our plants in dormancy. Now, I would do this pruning as soon as possible because roses are beginning to “wake up” and want to start growing. doug
Is it too late to plant Daffodils?
Yes, it is too late to be planting daffodil bulbs. The proper time to plant will be in the fall – anytime between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Now, with this said – if you have daffodil bulbs that you has from fall and did not plant then it is best to get them into the ground now. If not, they will dry out. Good luck. Doug
I have been dumping the ash from this winter’s fireplace in a spot in my garden. The ash is from hardwood. Which plants will like this soil? Which ones will not?
Thanks.
Maureen,
Happy Thursday.
Be careful using ashes this way. Ashes will raise your pH significantly. Before planting I would make sure to do a soil pH test. Ashes froma fireplace is best to use in a compost pile first. Doug
Meadow Farms planted 2 Blue Spruce pine trees for me. One is especially unhealthy. I would like for your company to look at these trees as soon as possible. I would have come last fall but due to the covid virus, I put it off. I live at 403 S. Louisiana AVe. Martinsburg, WV. My new phone No. is 304-901-2870. One looks to die. Please visit and loo at trees. Do not post comment.
Betty,
Happy Thursday.
Your message has come to our Richmond, Virginia store. You mention living in Martinsburg, WVA. You may want to call our West Virginia store in Harpers Ferry. The phone number is 304 – 724 – 3000. Good luck. Doug Hensel
When will your bagged mulch go on sale for $3.99 a bag?
Joyce,
Good Afternoon.
Our MULCH MADNESS SALE begins next Tuesday, March 9 and runs for a week. Our 3 cu. ft. bags of hardwood mulch will be on sale for 4 bags for $14.44. We have thousands of bags in stock right now in order to be ready for the demand. Doug
What can do with Hyacinth bulbs after flowering in water ?
Good Morning. What I would do is to go ahead and plant them in the ground. They should bloom for you again next February on their natural cycle. If you don’t plant them in the ground – or plant them in a flowering container – the bulb will dry out and be no good. Doug
How much sunlight does a veggie garden need to have per day? It’s the afternoon sun. Also, is it ok to still fertilizer grass near garden? Thanks. Hope to see you Saturday
Debbie,
Good Morning.
The minimum amount of direct, full sun light is 6 hours. 6 to 8 hours would be better for a vegetable garden.
You can do some fertilizing in the spring, if needed. Fertilizing a lawn in the spring is not highly recommended because it just makes the turf grow faster and you have to mow more often.
Good questions. Enjoy these spring time temperatures and sunlight coming our way. Doug
Hello,
I saw someone asking about cutting back the knockout roses, but is it a good time to cut back butterfly bushes, grasses and crapemyrtle too?
Thanks,
Nicole
Nicole,
Good Morning. Yes – this is the appropriate time to trim roses, butterfly bushes, ornamental grasses, and crape myrtle trees. Do it while the plants are all in a dormant state – which is the case now. We are warming up next week and with the warmer temperatures our plants are going to start “waking up” and break dormancy. Hopefully, you can do this pruning project this weekend. Doug
For the last couple of years I’ve had Ground Ivy (or Creeping Charlie) pop up in my mulch beds and it’s IMPOSSIBLE to get rid of! I think I’ve always waited too late and then it’s gotten out of hand. What’s your recommendation?
Sandra,
Good Morning.
Ground ivy is a nuisance. Usually, the conditions that exist is wet, shady, compacted soil. Aerating this area will help loosen the compaction.
You may need to resort to using a good, quality herbicide to kill the existing ground ivy. The weed needs to be actively growing in order for the herbicide to work.