The weather this past weekend made me stop and question if it was really the end of February and not late October. Like so many of my fellow "greenthumbers” I woke up Saturday morning eager to tackle my spring cleanup list and found frost on my windshield… Yikes! However, buds are breaking, and grass is greening and the nip in the air was no match for the powerful urge to get out in the garden. There is much to do and this is Florida after all... We can handle it!
Yes, it's time for the main event in the gardener's annual rite of spring… "The spring cleanup". Which includes pruning, deadheading, thatching, fertilization, mulching, and finally applying a pre-emergent herbicide on the freshly mulched beds. It is amazing what a small investment and a little bit of elbow grease can do to improve the health and appearance of your lawn and garden.
OK, here are a few tips to get you started: Pruning – Shrubs grown primarily for foliage, (Viburnum, Anise, Silver Thorn, Ligustrum), can be pruned year-round, but if the Winter was a rough one, wait until new growth appears and has the chance to “harden off” before that first Spring Trim. Spring and early summer blooming trees and shrubs, (azalea and spirea), should be pruned immediately after their bloom time, and depending on the variety, that could take you into mid-April. Crepe Myrtle Trees should be pruned by MidFebruary—and when doing so prune 6” above each major “Y” on the main branches to avoid “Crepe Murder”—if you’re unsure on how to properly prune your Crepe there are numerous YouTube Videos that will walk you through the process.
Next, it's time to clean up the perennials and grasses in the garden. – Cut away the dead leaves and foliage on all your flowering perennials, and for all the ornamental grasses (Muhly, Red/White Fountain Grasses, etc.) you’ll want to cut them all the way down to about a foot off the ground removing all the old spent foliage/blooms… it may seem harsh, but cutting grasses back is the best way to keep them looking clean and new! It is important to remove the cuttings and branches from around the base of the plant prior to mulching which will help reduce the possibility of pests or disease. Continue "deadheading" (cutting the spent flowers from your perennials) throughout the growing season to prolong blooms or encourage re-blooms. In the case of spring bulbs, (Amaryllis, Agapanthus and Lily’s) once the plant has flowered, I suggest trimming only the yellow or brown plant material, rather than cutting the plant off at the base. This may require several visits with the pruners, but by doing this it will allow the transfer of vital nutrients to return to the bulb.
Next you are ready to divide and transplant your summer and fall blooming perennials - Many of our favorites require dividing sometime within two to five years of their initial planting. This is a bonus for garden enthusiasts. Some of my favorite plants in my garden were gifts from friends that had divided their prize irises, daylilies, and grasses. Typically, Stella d' Oro daylilies should be divided by their third spring to revitalize their blooms, this is also a great time to consider dividing your White or Yellow African Iris, who, over time and look tired and a little crazy!
Next, you are ready to fertilize your plants with a organic fertilizer. One of our favorites happens to be from the Espoma Family of Products—their product “Garden Tone” is a universal fit for the entire garden. And finally, it is time to top dress the planting beds with your favorite hardwood mulch and apply a granular pre-emergent herbicide. This will give your garden a rich, neat appearance, encourage healthy soil and help you to retain valuable moisture while preventing the spread and germination of weeds. Take caution to avoid piling the mulch up against the stem of the plant. I suggest an inch and a half clearance for shrubs and perennials. One note on pesticides… "If hiring out this service, it is important to use licensed applicators". In the state of Florida, anyone who applies any pesticide for hire must be licensed as a commercial applicator. According to Lawn and Garden News…The definition of a pesticide is "a substance or mixture of substances used to destroy or control any undesirable form of animal or plant life… The pest can be aphids, flies, bacteria or even weeds. "A licensed applicator will ensure that safe practices are being followed. Check with your landscape professional.
So, relax, roll up your sleeves and embrace this wonderful blessing called spring. With a little effort now, you will enjoy a beautiful outdoor environment all season long.
James Merritt – Live Aloha Landscapes
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