By Claudette Sims, Halton Master Gardener
Nature-friendly spring tasks
Cutting back plants or removing dead leaves is largely an aesthetic consideration — most plants don’t benefit from it. Most stems or leaves will slowly decompose as the temperatures warm. If you must cut plants back, wait until temperatures are above 10°C for about a week. Leaving leaves and stems allows native bees and butterflies time to emerge, and gives them places to hide.
Invasive plants
This is the perfect time to spot and remove invasives like periwinkle. Remove garlic mustard seedings as they appear to stop them from producing chemicals that kill the beneficial soil fungi that provide critical
food to maples and other native plants.
Pruning
Use clean, sharp tools to remove dead, damaged, diseased wood, and prune overgrown vines or shrubs. Prune to improve air circulation and appearance in shrubs and trees. Cut back branches to just above another branch or a bud. Keep a sharp eye out for cocoons and chrysalises when pruning. Keep in mind that if you prune spring flowering shrubs now, you will sacrifice blooms. Lavender: When new growth starts to appear, use secateurs to prune back dead or overgrown stems to a vigorous bud. Do
not over-prune.
“Chop and drop”
When pruning or cutting back plants use the “chop and drop” method to return organic material to the soil and provide nesting material for birds. Prunings can also be stacked up against a fence or in a corner.
Oak wilt
Prune oaks before bud break to reduce the risk of oak wilt. If you absolutely need to prune your oak when it is in leaf, treat cuts with pruning paint. Note: this is the only situation where pruning paint is recommended.
Spring bulbs
Blood meal or chicken manure pellets sprinkled around emerging tulips may help to deter deer and squirrel grazing.
Dahlia, calla, canna, etc.
If tubers start to sprout, pot them up and grow in your sunniest window. Otherwise, continue to check them weekly. Pot up bulbs from late April to May.
Lawn
Remove leaves or debris only if walking on the lawn leaves NO footprints. This reduces soil compaction. Wait for warm weather before overseeding.
Seeds
Time to start your tomato seeds if you haven’t already done so. Start tender annual flowers indoors for mid- to late-May planting. Seed cool weather crops like peas, spinach, lettuce, beets, and radishes directly in the garden as soon as the ground can be worked.
Divide or transplant perennials — as growth resumes and soil is workable.
Check out the Halton Master Gardeners’ March newsletter for any garden jobs that you may have missed.
Celebrate Earth Day (April 22) by planting a tree, adding native plants, and using sustainable garden practices.
