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Gradually remove winter mulch, such as evergreen boughs from around roses, perennials and ground covers.
Do a walk through of your landscape, inspecting plants for wildlife damage and take care of any corrective pruning. Perennials should be checked for any root upheaval from frost and stepped back in. Decide what you will move or add to perennial beds. Decide what problem areas need attention.
For yews, junipers and boxwoods not sheared into formal hedges, plants can be allowed to develop a more natural, feathery appearance. However, regular annual pruning is still necessary. Selectively head back the most vigorous branches to a side branch or bud. When the new growth appears in May, the plant will regain a lacy, soft appearance. Contact Johnson's Nursery to schedule your landscape pruning needs.
After the snow has melted and the ground is no longer soggy, rake your lawn to fluff-up any matted down areas and to remove any snow mold. Late in the month, follow through with spot seeding of grass seed to fill in bare spots.
Bark mulch garden pathways to suppress weeds and facilitate spring work in the garden. Here at Johnson's Nursery, mulch may be picked-up, delivered or even have us install it for you.
When flowerbeds can be worked later in the month, top-dress the beds with compost or well-rotted manure.
Do a soil test on your vegetable garden.
When temperatures are above 40° and will remain above freezing, apply dormant spray to ornamentals to control scale and other overwintering pests on problem plants from last season
Whether working off a plan or in need of a special plant, we encourage you to plan ahead and order early. Many plants, particularly many types of trees, can only be successfully dug in spring. While we try to carry a large stock of plants throughout the season, we cannot possibly dig every size or type of plant. If a specific size or type is desired, we recommend getting it on order for best selection. A few of the spring dug only plants include: Autumn Blaze maple, red maples, horsechestnut, serviceberry and birch.
The lilacs are here and ready for pickup. This spring our healing in areas are stocked with many different varieties of container and balled and burlapped lilacs.