SPRING IS HERE! Spring Garden Tips by Julie Mason/Victoria County Master Gardener
Pink and white dianthus, double red dianthus, white petunia, and pink and white polka dot plants. Contributed Photo
Every year when January rolls around and has those wonderful sunny, mild temperature days, I tell my husband “Spring is here!” His response is always “Where?”
I typically ignore him. After all “spring” really has arrived because for those of us that live in south Texas, we understand spring is noticeably short lived before the sweltering summer heat sets in. Because of this short-lived heat tolerant time to both humans and plants, it is necessary to start preparing our yards and gardens as early as January so that when the time comes to plant, our beds are ready.
One of the first things to consider is your soil. Soil is much like building the foundation for your home. If the foundation is not done well, the house will not have the support necessary for long term life. The same is true of your grass, trees, herbs, vegetables, fruit, and flowering plants.
Inferior quality soil will provide you with incredibly sad specimens in your various gardens or yard. To prevent this depressing situation, contact your county extension agent for a soil testing kit and form. The form will have instructions on how to properly collect soil from your yard or gardens.
The results will explain the possible amendments needed to add such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In addition to minerals, a layer of organic material should be tilled well into the soil 8-10 inches in depth prior to planting annuals, perennials, and shrubs each year.
Some sources suggest the enriched soil layer can be six inches. The saying “The more the merrier” applies to organic material spread in your gardens. You can never add too much. Organic material should be spread around plants in existing beds.
Avoid pruning until February or March. The dead limbs and leaves provide additional protection in the event of a late freeze. Yes, waiting is difficult because many people are selective about the appearance of their gardens and yards. They want to look out their windows and not see disturbing dead material cluttering the view.
You do need to pull back any dead leaves that are mushy such as Elephant Ears. The mush is a perfect place for bacteria to begin to grow and harm your plants. Roses may be pruned in February. The rule is to prune no more than one third of the bush’s height. Perennials and other shrubs should pruned in March.
Another tip is to consider container gardens. The pots can be moved easily into protected areas of the yard or patio as the heats in summer or freezes in winter. Container gardens can be fun for all ages allowing each to express their own creativity.
There is no end to the selections, colors, shapes and types of plants or flowers available. Best practices recommend three plants for container gardens and consider one the thriller, one the filler and one the spiller. Make sure the chosen pots have holes in the bottom for drainage. Like in your landscape, do use a good quality potting soil. When planting allow about two inches from the top of the container to the soil.
Then when watering the water flows through the potting soil and not over the pot. Those gardeners interested in cooking with fresh herbs can grow a large variety of herbs in multiple pots. Most herbs are container compatible, except for mint. Mint is highly invasive and should be contained in its own pot. Beware of the trailers! Once over the edge of the pot the trailers will “reach” for dirt and rapidly spread.
So, venture into your yard, pull weeds, get a soil test, fix the soil and plant your favorite flowers, herbs and vegetables. Then enjoy the results of your early spring labor.
Gardeners’ Dirt is published each week in the Victoria Advocate.
REFERENCES:
Soil Testing Sampling and Instruction from TAMU
Best Herbs to Plant Together in One Pot
Welsh, Doug, Doug Welsh’s Texas Garden Almanac, Martin Book Management,
2017, pages 16, 19-20.