PLANTS & HUMANS ARE CONFUSED WITH THIS WINTER
Wow, my last writing for February. March will be here next week. The spring season is officially here in 24 days. But, as I drive around the area I am seeing plants in bloom that shouldn’t be this time of year. Yesterday, I saw both the Star Magnolia and a Saucer Magnolia in bloom. I was reminiscing about the old Maymont Flower and Garden Show that would have been this past week if it still existed and seeing the Bradford Pear trees in bloom along 6th street. So, we have dealt with our plants blooming early in the past. But, it is what it is this year.
We did have a couple of cold nights last Thursday and Friday nights and then we warmed back up for the weekend and this current week. Let’s hope the warmer temperatures continue.
I listened to Andrew Freiden, NBC meteorologist, and he stated that we are experiencing the mildest winter in the modern era. And, the long term forecast is giving us only a 1 in 10 chance of any snow this winter. I know that this makes some of us happy.
BE ON WEATHER ALERT!!! WITH SOME OF OUR LOVABLE PLANTS IN BLOOM NOW, THEY MAY NEED SOME PROTECTION IF OUR TEMPERATURES FALL AND WE HAVE A FORECAST FOR A HARD FREEZE. BE READY TO COVER, IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO SO. DON’T USE PLASTIC COVERING AS PLASTIC WILL TRAP IN MOISTURE AND THAT MOISTURE WILL THEN FREEZE ON THE PLANT AND FLOWERS. I RECOMMEND USING A CLOTH FABRIC SUCH AS BLANKETS, BURLAP BAGS, TOWELS, ETC.
Here are a couple of fun things that you can do with plants this week:
- If you have access to any forsythia, pussy willow, or quince then you can bring inside some branch cuttings and put in a vase of water and watch them come into bloom.
- There is no reason why you cannot be planting now. We have had plenty of rain lately and our soil is soft. So, consider planting a flowering shrub or tree in honor of someone or some occasion. Then, every year this plant will help you remember the person or occasion.
Come see us!!! We are eager and ready to assist you!!!!
PLANT A LITTLE HAPPINESS!!!!
To read more posts from Doug, visit our blog
Should we fertilize crepe myrtle, now, or when?
Anne,
Good question. As you know, our crape myrtle trees are still dormant and not growing. Here is what I suggest for people to do now. Use a quality organic food that will enrich the soil and add natural nutrients to the soil. My suggestion is to use an Espoma product, such as Plant Tone or Garden Tone. Do it know so that our rains will help wash it down to the root structure. Another tip for the health of crape myrtles is to add some lime around the root structure. Crape myrtles like a “sweeter” soil then what we typically have in our region. Come see us when you are ready. take care, Doug
Do you have suggestions for spring lawn care this year? Do we start with pre-emergent sooner (now?) for crab grass and weed prevention?
Jennifer,
Glad you sent me your question now. There is no question that with the mild winter our timing is ahead of schedule. You do want to put down the crabgrass pre-emergence as soon as possible. Let me know if you have any further questions. Doug
When will you be getting in new red bud and crape myrtles? Looking to purchase something in the 8-10 ft. range soon.
Ben,
We just received some Redbud trees. Larger Crape Myrtle trees will be coming around mid-March. Come see us when you are ready to plant. And, let me know if you have any further questions. PLANT A LITTLE HAPPINESS!!!
Given our warm winter, the knockout roses are leafing out early. Can we prune them hard now before they get too leafed out and possibly even start producing buds?
Rob,
Great timely question. Yes, you can still trim back your KnockOut roses with no issue for the roses. Actually, you can trim them back most anytime of the year. This warm winter has put our plants 2 to 3 weeks ahead of schedule and has caught us gardeners off schedule a bit.