Spring is here, and I couldn’t be more ready to watch some things grow! In the next couple of weeks, depending on where you live – last frosts will mark the perfect time to plant outdoors. Whether you’ve already got seedlings going that are ready for transplant, or you’re ready to put some new plants in the ground – there’s going to be a bit of prep work. I’m going to talk about pruning plants and how to take care of those pesky weeds. Hopefully, this can help you prep your yard/garden for the year and new plants.
Pruning:
According to the Spruce, early spring – in between the time plants drop old growth and before they grow new ones is the best time to prune. You’ll need some small or large pruning shears, depending on what you’ve got in your yard. Then, you’ll need some gloves and a bag or compost area to put your trimmings. If you‘re unsure if your plant is ready to be pruned, just try to evaluate how it’s doing: Is it bare? Does it have some immature growth? It’s probably okay to prune. Has it already started new blooms? Is it full? It may be best to leave it alone this pruning season.
When pruning trees and shrubs, select areas that look dead or possibly diseased and remove them. It is suggested to cut them at a bit of an angle like a diagonal cut. You can also use this time to shape them a bit, too. When dealing with perennials, you can pinch off flowers and trim areas that aren’t growing. Be sure on both to check the bottom of the plant, not just the blooms or ends.
Weed Maintenance:
The Farmer’s Almanac is an amazing resource for anything gardening related, and weeds are no exception. There are three kind of steps for weeds: prevention, identification, and maintenance.
Prevention is tedious, but worth it. Try:
- Weeding new growth and cut them below the soil line
- Clean tools as they may spread seeds
- Keep up with mowing
- Add more mulch
There are plenty of other ideas, these are just a few.
Did you know there are perennial weeds?
Identification of weeds is not something I ever thought of, but it’s an important thing to do, especially when dealing with persistent weeds. There tons of different types of weeds and species within those types. The Farmer’s Almanac identifies 13 common ones and tells you how they act and how to control them.
Maintenance is a bit of trial and error. Some weeds can just be pulled out by hand, while others require a tiller or shovel to get deep into the roots. Many of the things used to prevent weeds can also be used to get rid of them. Trying to prevent seeds from spreading is a big help, too. Weeds love shaded areas. If you can free up more light or seed an area with grass seed it may help. Wood chips can help as well. You can try covering in plant fabrics, as well as landscaping an area that is waterlogged for better water flow and less weeds. You can also use chemicals, but these can harm good growth and may not be the best for your families’ or pets’ health.
I hope that this gives you motivation to get out into your yard an get everything in order for the new growing season. May you make way for new growth and love all the blooms of Spring!
