Along the Garden Path by Genevieve Coombs

Prepping the garden for spring

A garden is no good if you don’t have anyone to share it with, and sharing information only can make everyone’s garden better, we’ve decided to bring you a gardening column…

Despite what the chill in the air says, it is spring! The Forsythia and Magnolia are blossoming, the snow has finally melted, and everyone is eager to get out and play in the dirt. A little bit of prep in the early gardening days goes a long way towards a trouble-free landscape through the rest of the summer.

Raking away last autumn’s leaves and twigs and smoothing your garden beds is the first step. Any perennial weeds that might have been missed last season can be easily pulled out of the cool, moist ground before they have a chance to really dig in and grow for another year. Cleaning up Hosta foliage and other fall debris is essential for keeping pest and disease problems to a minimum. We also start to discover what may or may not have made it through the winter with the presence of tiny little green shoots, but don’t be too quick to judge; it is only April. Give everybody a few more weeks at least to wake up and feel the sunshine before deciding to dig them out. Summer and fall-blooming perennials can be lifted and divided this month, and anything that needs moving or transplanting can be done now.

Early spring is also an excellent time to plant trees and shrubs. The sooner they get into the ground, the sooner they will start to set roots. Planting in the cool early part of the season also cuts down on the amount of watering that needs to be done.

Remember, more work done in the garden during the cool months of the year means being able to enjoy it, rather than work hard, while it’s hot, hot, hot in the middle of summer. Plant some trees now, and enjoy the benefits all year, and appreciate the beauty of a well-grown shrub or perennial border while sipping iced tea in August. Spring is here, and it’s time to garden!


Ask the Horticulturist: Got a gardening question? Want to see it answered here? Send questions to columnist@TheWindhamEagle.com. Many times one gardener’s question leads to information for many gardeners!

Genevieve Coombs is a horticulturist and manager at Roosevelt Trail Garden Center in Windham.