Mid Spring Planning ~ Okay now the gardening begins to get serious! May brings yard and garden activity to a fever pitch, and our Garden Center is very nicely stocked with all kinds of plants and products for the tickly green thumb. But early on - proceed with caution for some gardening activities, as the NH weather can still be quite contrary and frosty nights can damage newly purchased plants. Print out some pictures of areas you would like to improve and we’ll be happy help you with some selections. ~ Would you like up to date information of the migration of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds?
Check Here > Migration of Hummingbirds Map
~ When temperatures are above 40°F and before buds swell, apply dormant oil to fruit trees to control insect pests ~ If you did not do it in the fall (best time) then aerate, de-thatch and overseed lawns before weeds germinate
~ Rake up the debris left from the over zealous snowplow driver
~ As soil temperatures reach 55° F Repair lawn areas damaged by plows, sand and road salt. We sell sod by the roll for instant lawn fix or you can seed the area ~ Have irrigation systems serviced and plow damage repaired ~ Prune any winter damaged branches and evergreen shrubs ~ Remove all remaining straw, shredded leaves or other winter mulch used for extra winter protection on roses, strawberries and other plants ~ Clean out all the branches and other winter debris from planting beds  ~ Evaluate perennials looking for a bare center, a sign that they need division ~ Cut a deep “edge” between lawn and mulch beds to prevent grass from crawling into the gardens ~ Dig out or pull any perennial weeds you can see ~ Before April 15th: (weed germination time & tax day) Prevent new annual weeds by spreading corn gluten throughout planting beds. Do not use in areas where you plan to sow seed
~ Evenly spread compost and fertilizer at the drip-line of trees, shrubs and perennials all throughout your gardens. Avoid using turf fertilizers many contain high levels of salt and chlorine, which can damage trees and ornamentals ~ Fertilize acid-loving plants such as azalea and holly using an acid-based soluble fertilizer containing iron such as Holly-tone
~ Fertilize all fruits except strawberries. Soft berries will form if strawberries are fertilized too early ~ Spread a thin layer of bark mulch in gardens. After spreading it out, fine-tune it but using the flip-side of a plastic, wide fan rake, to level it ~ Before April 15th: (weed germination time & tax day) Prevent new annual weeds by spreading corn gluten over lawn areas. Do not use it in areas where you plan to start grass from seed ~ Plant dahlia and gladiola’s approximately two weeks before the last anticipated frost. By the time they emerge from the soil, the frost danger will be past ~ Prepare planting beds, but use restraint when putting out annual flowers. It's best to wait and keep one eye on weather reports rather than take a risk of a late frost at night ~ Start hardening off and plant seedlings of vegetable and flower transplants by bringing them outdoors a few hours each day and increasing the outdoor time daily to toughen them up for the grown up world ~ Determine when to turn the soil. If the soil is still wet and clumps together, then tilling will cause soil compaction, drainage, and aeration problems later on in the season. If the soil crumbles when you work it around in your hands, then it's a good time to till ~ When the soil is tillable, some hardy vegetables can withstand freezing and frosts, can be planted outdoors towards the end of the May. Including peas, carrots, potatoes, lettuce, beets, asparagus, rhubarb, onions, parsley, parsnips, and spinach ~ Divide rhubarb plants as soon as the soil is tillable. Plant the mom plant back in the original hole and plant the shoots in a sunny site. Don’t harvest anything from the young plants for the first season ~ Shop early for annual & vegetable transplants to get the best selections, but bring them in at night when frost is a threat.  Wait until Memorial Day to plant them after all the danger of frost is past ~ After the danger of frost has passed, plant annuals, vegetables and flowers. Incorporate into the soil mixture: soil moist, organic matter and slow release fertilizer to give them the best advantage. Drench the soil around the plants, watering slowly, deeply, and evenly, and fertilize according to label directions. Watering as needed and with Root Stimulator weekly ~ Annual bedding plants are the answer to a gardener's prayer for fast color and growth. Select short, compact healthy plants. Pinch off ½ the flowers and buds before planting to give the roots an extra opportunity to become well established. The energy a plant spends on producing blooms takes away from what it needs to establish itself in your garden and it will become a bushy, fuller plant ~ After a week or so, pinch the remaining ½ of annual blooms to encourage fuller plants. (I know you hate to do this, but it helps them)
~ Mulch flower and vegetable gardens to conserve water during hot days
~ Plant ground covers under shade trees that don't allow enough sunlight to sustain grass. Ground cover Vinca, Pachysandra, and English Ivy are hardy shade tolerant ground covers ~ Dig up divide and replant crowded spring-blooming bulbs after leaves have turned yellow ~ Thin out small green fruits on apple, peach and plum trees to one every 6 inches on the branch. See also the Fruit Tree page on this website for moree information ~ Fertilize roses as the first flower buds appear. Apply fungicide to prevent powdery mildew and blackspot ~ Mow lawns regularly, but mow at high setting (2½–3") to provide shade for the grass root system and to discourage the germination of weeds ~ Consider what you need to fill in gaps in your landscape or which new plants you'd like to try. Take a walk-about your property to visualize where improvements are needed or where you might jazz it up with some additional color, scents, textures, and shapes. Bring us some pictures and we’ll be happy help you with some selections ~ Watch for weeds and remove them as early as possible to prevent them from spreading. If chemical herbicides are necessary for weed control there are safety factors to be concerned about:
Always check the label of weed control products and follow the label instructions.
Do not apply any weed controls on newly seeded areas. Do not apply weed controls on windy days or when temperatures are above 85°F Do not allow children or pets to play on lawns freshly applied with weed controls If liquid weed control has been applied wait until weed control area has been watered thoroughly and then has dried before using the area If you applied a granular weed control, water thoroughly and wait one week before use | 
