Wyatt Farms Green Thumb Blog

If you have not already done so, it is a good time to remove spent foliage from ornamental grasses and perennials. It is easier to remove the brown foliage now before new leaves and shoots emerge.

Save yourself some trouble and spread pine straw or mulch now before perennial leaves emerge, this also protects roots if we have a late frost.

Prep annual beds for spring. Remove winter/fall annuals and mix in soil amendments, such as mushroom compost, and a slow release fertilizer, such as Osmocote. If your site allows, make a nice smooth mound with the soil. This is not only more appealing to the eye but it helps with drainage as well. Rake the bed smooth and you are ready to plant. If you are not able to plant right away, spread pine straw or mulch to protect the soil.

If you enjoyed forcing Amaryllis or Narcissus bulbs this holiday, you can transplant them to a more permanent home in your yard after the last frost.

Prune wayward shrubs. Try to avoid hedge pruning into balls or mushrooms, instead remove selected branches to promote a natural form and increase air circulation within the plant. Do NOT prune ornamental shrubs that bloom on last years growth, such as most of your Hydrangeas.

Be sure to fertilize your trees, shrubs, and perennials as they break dormancy.

Does the thought of organic gardening make you shake in your garden boots? What is organic gardening anyway? Organic gardening is simply not using synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides on plants. But to those that garden organically, it is much more than that. Organic gardening is thinking about all those people and things affected by plants and what we use on them. It is an appreciation for our ecosystem and the water, people, plants, and animals in it. Organic gardeners try to use natural resources that work in harmony with nature. Those that choose this way of gardening are no doubt spending a lot of time and energy to protect our environment.
Thinking of going ‘Green’? Here are a few tips to help you get started.

1. SOIL! Make sure you have good soil. Improve your existing soil with products such as ‘Organic Worm Castings’ or ‘Mushroom Compost’.

2. MULCH! Mulch your beds well, this will help reduce weeds and retain moisture.

3. PICK PLANTS WISELY! Pick hardy plants that are more resistant to diseases, pests, and dry weather. Make sure to install a variety of plants. Too many of the same may make your garden vulnerable to pests and disease.

4. DON’T PANIC! Just because you see a few aphids does not mean that you need to run for the bug sprayer. Sometimes the damage is just cosmetic and weather or a blast from the water hose will help resolve the problem. For the best defense, read up on garden pests.

5. LET THE GOOD BUGS BE! Birds, Ladybugs, Dragonflies, Wasps, Nemotodes, Praying Mantis, and Worms eat insects that are harmful to your garden. Snakes, Cats and Dogs may help minimize harmful rodents as well.

6. ACCEPT THAT WEEDS HAPPEN! It’s impossible to get your lawn completely free of weeds, so stop trying. Some weeds attract beneficial insects.

7. USE WATER WISELY! Save water by knowing how and when to water your plants.

We welcome any and all gardening tips. If you have gardening tips of any nature please feel free to share.