The Whistling Gardener

by Steve Smith

Steve Smith is owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville, located at 3915 Sunnyside Blvd., and a respected local expert on all things horticultural. You can reach Steve at 425-334-2002 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Here we are at the end of February and, although Mother Nature has kept the temperatures down and our gardens don't seem to be doing much just yet, all hell is going to break loose as we move into March. It's time to get it into gear and here is a checklist of things to do.

LAWNS: My lawn looks pretty darn good for this time of year and the underlying reason is my continued use of a natural/organic fertilizer. These fertilizers work slower and last longer and enrich the soil micro-flora, which improves the porosity of the soil and allows the grass roots to penetrate deeper, making the turf more drought- and disease-resistant. If you have been using a cheap synthetic formula for years then maybe it's time to make the break to a more sustainable turf management program. Most independent garden centers will have a turf expert on staff that can help guide you through this transition.

PRUNING: Yes, March is the month to trim our fruit trees, tidy up our hedges, cut back our ornamental grasses, massacre the roses and shape up the wisteria and clematis. Many of us probably did some of this in the fall, especially you more anal retentive gardeners. Follow up the pruning with an application of dormant oil on most deciduous plants to smother any wintering eggs or bugs. Also, spraying a natural fungicide like copper or sulfur goes a long way to preventing many fungal diseases that attack our plants in early spring.

PERENNIALS: Be very careful this month when you are tromping through the flower beds. The tender new shoots of perennials are starting to pop through the surface and the last thing you want to do is squash them. Already my bleeding hearts are an inch tall. The bright red tips of my peonies are emerging, along with the fall blooming sedum Autumn Joy and a whole host of others as well. Tread lightly as you weed, fertilize and apply a one-inch layer of fresh compost. You might also consider broadcasting some corn gluten to prevent weeds from sprouting. As it breaks down it also releases nitrogen, which will make your plants grow. What an amazing product this is.

VEGGIE GARDENS: It's time to get the veggie garden in shape. Remove any weeds and spread some lime, organic fertilizer and compost and till it all together and you will be ready to plant all the cool season crops like potatoes, carrots, peas, radishes, onions, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, to name just a few. Buy a sheet of "row cover" to protect your babies on the really chilly nights. This is also the time to plant perennial veggies like rhubarb and asparagus.

SMALL FRUITS AND BERRIES: Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries are all itching to be planted this month. They are still dormant and will slip into your garden now and never skip a beat. You can often find these crops bareroot in March and on sale for as much as 30 percent off the regular price. Grapes and Kiwis, currants and gooseberries can also be planted now. Always use some compost and organic starter fertilizer when you are installing new plants.

FRUIT TREES: Like I mentioned above, this is the consummate month to prune and spray your fruit trees. It is also a perfect time to plant a few new ones as well and perhaps remove some old ones that are no longer productive or too tall. Most trees these days are on semi-dwarf or dwarf root stocks that keep our trees in the 12- to 15-foot category. There are even mini-dwarf rootstocks that keep a tree at 6 to 8 feet tall, which is perfect for small spaces or even containers. If you are really tight on space, try two of the new columnar apples. They grow 8 to 10 feet tall but only 2 or 3 feet wide. Or purchase an espaliered fruit tree that can be trained against a wall or fence and takes up virtually no room at all.

TREES AND SHRUBS: It's a fact that you can plant most any tree or shrub this time of year. If you can dig a hole and it doesn't fill with water then you can plant. You will find a large selection of evergreens and deciduous plants in the garden center in March. It's a good time to stroll through the nursery and see what looks interesting. Look for texture, bark and twig interest, berries and colorful foliage in March. Most flowers come a bit later, although we do have shrubs and trees that bloom this early.

WEEDS: Last but not least, don't let those weeds get ahead of you and go to seed. My favorite weeding tool is the Hula-Hoe. It is quick and efficient. Remove the weeds and get the ground covered immediately with a layer of compost and some more corn gluten or Preen and you will be miles ahead of the weeding game.

So no more slacking. Winter is over and it is time to get busy. I may see you at the local home and garden shows this spring. Otherwise I expect to see you in the garden.

Steve Smith is owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville and can be reached at 425-334-2002 or online at [email protected]