By Pam Albo
Glorious Spring is right around the corner.
FEBRUARY GARDENING TIPS:
• Vegetable transplants can be put out now, such as:
Asparagus, chard, head and leaf lettuces, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, onion, melon, sweet potatoes and eggplant.
• Prune roses. Remove deadwood and crossing branches. Cut back to 50%.
Try to accomplish this by the end of February before the growing season begins.
• Add compost to ready the soil for the warmer months to come.
• Fertilize citrus trees
MARCH GARDENING TIPS:
• Plant shrubs to give them time to become established before the punishing hot summer heat. Examples: Texas sage, yellow bells, Baja fairy duster, red yucca, bush lantana, angelita daisy, red bird-of-paradise.
• Plant groundcovers such as trailing lantana to retain soil moisture.
• Plant flowering annuals, such as alyssum, geraniums, marigolds and petunias.
• Plant herbs, such as basil, chive, oregano, parsley, sage, and thyme.
• Prune existing shrubs. Remove frost damage, especially from bougainvillea and
lantana.
• Fertilize roses after each bloom. Continue every two to four weeks until mid-June. Be sure to deadhead after each bloom.
• Weed prevention. They are starting to grow and that’s when they are easier to control.
• Check your irrigation system for leaks. Increase watering intervals if needed.
APRIL GARDENING TIPS:
• April is National Garden Month, Arbor Day, and Earth Day
• Last month to plant shrubs, annuals, and herbs before the summer heat.
• Shrubs, trees, and potted plants may need increased watering.
• Water succulents every other week.
• Finish pruning now before the summer heat arrives.
