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March 7, 2001

Sure Signs Of Spring...
As Kevin and I walked around the Plaza this past weekend we noticed several signs of Spring.  We spotted hopeful clumps of crocus huddled against a chilly backdrop of snow.  We also caught a glimpse of some tulips peeking up through the ground beginning their short, beautiful spring lives.  What a sight!  True signs to let us know that a seasonal change is on its way.  This is the moment we gardeners live for.  Warmer weather!  Planting weather!  Weather that allows us to work hours upon hours in the garden without wanting to stop.  Isn't it funny how we never seem to tire this time of the year?  Do you think our eagerness would exist if the weather was mild year round?  We have suffered through a horrible winter making the arrival of Spring sweeter than in the past.  Finally, our time has come!  

Once the ground has had a chance to thaw call Savvygardener.com sponsor Missouri Organic Recycling for topsoil blends and compost!  What a difference it will make for your plantings to have a rich soil to grow in.  Missouri Organic Recycling offers great products and service so give them a call and tell them that Savvygardener.com sent you! 

Hmmm, weather.  The temperature seems to be stuck in a rut.  The 40's were looking good there for awhile but now I am ready for some 50's.  Maybe next week?

~ Shelly  

More Guidance For Growers...
Hopefully you seed starters have already checked out our feature When to Start Seeds Indoors We've also added a handy Vegetable Garden Calendar that not only shows you when Savvygardeners should be planting but also when they will probably be harvesting in the Kansas City area.  Neat huh?

When Evergreens Look Brown...
This has been a tough winter, no need to tell you that.  Your evergreens may be showing signs of the stress as well.  Winter browning results from the interaction of injuriously low temperatures, frequent freeze/thaw cycles, and rapid cooling and thawing rates.  Sound familiar?  

These conditions are more likely to be found on portions of the plant that get the most sunlight during the winter months.  That's why "browning" or "burning" is usually noticed on the south or southwest sides of evergreens.  So, the key to reducing this type of injury is to minimize foliar temperature extremes for injury-prone plants.  Planting sensitive species in sheltered locations, providing tough companion plants like spruce to shield tender plants, or screening plants with burlap or snow fence can help prevent unsightly browning.  

For the plants that already show signs of damage - avoid the temptation to prune browned areas from evergreen trees and shrubs in early spring.  These branches may still have viable buds that will produce new foliage when growth resumes.  Cross your fingers!

Source

Just Can't Wait...
If you are just dying to do something in the flower garden try sowing the seeds of asters, bachelor buttons, calendulas, delphinium, dianthus, larkspur, and snapdragon.  These hardy annuals should weather the remaining cold days and get your flower garden off to an early start.  As insurance against really cold weather you can always sow smaller quantities at weekly intervals.

 

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Seed Starting With Structure...
Starting more than three or four different varieties of seed indoors can get confusing if you're not organized.  To keep from missing the start date for any of your seeds you might try our simple procedure: 

  • Organize your seed packets in piles based on the number of weeks before "last frost" to start them indoors. This should be indicated on the seed packet and can be found in our feature When To Start Seeds Indoors.
  • Pick the date which you feel safe calling "last frost". We use the first full weekend in May (May 5th this year). 
  • In our example we are now 8½ weeks from the weekend we will transplant our seedlings. That means that by this weekend we will have already started any seeds that indicate starting dates nine weeks and higher. 
  • For the remainder of your seeds secure them together in their respective groups with a rubber band. 
  • For each group attach a sticky note with the date of the weekend they need to be started. 
  • Place the packets front-to-back, in order by starting date, in a small box. 
  • Each weekend remove the packets at the front of the box for starting. Next weekend's seeds are now at the front and awaiting your return in seven days.

Care For Climbers...
Many Savvygardeners wrote in appreciation for the Shrub Pruning Calendar we just published.  A few had questions however.  One that bears repeating concerns the different pruning requirements of climbing roses.  We put the question to our rosarian Al Karsten who responded, "Climbing roses are different in their procedure of pruning.  Many climbers bloom on new growth and if you prune in early spring, you are cutting off the spring blooms.  I usually suggest a person not prune a climber unless it is getting out of control of its growing habit.  Cut out only dead canes - or wait until after the first blooms in the spring , then prune back."  Thanks Al!  By the way Al's rose tips will return here next week.

What's Hot On The Hotline...
In an effort to push winter aside we have brought the Winter Wisdom column to a close.  Actually it's just time for the hotline to re-open and that means the return of our popular weekly feature, What's Hot on the Hotline... This week we re-introduce our readers to the hotline and get our heads on straight for spring.

Ready, Set, Wait...
With the late snow and rainfall that we've had for the last several weeks, garden soils are wet, and time is rapidly approaching for spring planting.  Although you may be tempted to work wet soil, remember that there are some serious consequences.  Soil structure can be destroyed, forming large clods that take weeks or months to break up with natural weathering.  Use of a rototiller is especially damaging in soils that are too wet.  A gentle spading will cause the least soil damage but is still a risky proposition.  It is better to delay planting a few days or weeks than to try to till wet soils.

Source

Finally...
"Gardening is about being grounded, rooted to the here and now with the need to tidy up.  It is the difference between managing life and entering into life, reminding us that gardening need not be the fraught, perfectionistic, slightly paranoid struggle that it becomes for some.  Truth is, our love of plants is bound up with a taste for human error, nature's excesses, and sheer unadulterated indulgence."

~ Terry Hershey, Soul Gardening

 

 

 

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