I almost hate to say it, but it’s sure starting to feel a
little bit like spring! Of course, this weekend's forecast includes the potential for snow, so winter's not over just yet. But with several beautiful days recently, it’s easy to
think that spring is coming early. And after last year’s miserably cool, wet
spring, I think we’re all hoping for a nicer season ahead. So as the plants in
your yard start to wake up from a winter’s rest, what tasks can or should you
get started on outdoors?
First, let me offer a word of caution. Without trying to put
too much of a damper on your hopes of spring, remember the last few years?
We’ve had some very cold weather in February and even well into March, so
please don’t think that a couple of days of sun mean spring is here. If you’re
determined to work outside, great—after all, around here you take whatever
sunny days you get to do a little yard work! But don’t feel too rushed on some
of your early spring tasks; there will be plenty of time in early March to get them done.
That said, late winter is a great time to prune many of the
shrubs and trees around your yard. If you have fruit trees to prune, try to
prune as late in winter as possible to avoid any damage from late freezes. When
pruning, remove any water sprouts—fast-growing, upright branches—and branches
that rub together or compete for space. Also, actively work to thin the
branching in your trees to keep an open form, remembering that fruit trees will
be healthier and have better fruit production when given proper sun exposure
and air circulation. Don’t be timid about pruning too hard when trying to
achieve open branching—as a popular saying goes, “When in doubt, thin it out!”
As for other ‘treatments’ for your fruit trees, I don’t
recommend using wound sealer after pruning. Too often the sealer can still
allow water in and then trap it, causing more rot damage than if pruning had
been done properly in the first place and the wound had been allowed to heal
out in the open. Now is, however, a good time to apply a dormant spray to
combat any diseases that may have overwintered, and if you’re sick of battling
suckers at the base of your fruit (or other) trees each year, stop in at Vander
Giessen Nursery for a bottle of Sucker Stopper, an easy-to-use spray that
utilizes plant hormones to prevent growth of suckers.
If the thought of so much pruning has your hands hurting
already, maybe it’s time for a new pair of pruners. After all, a whole year of
gardening lies ahead, and that can mean a lot of pruning. If your hands fatigue
easily or if you suffer with arthritis, it’s worth it to try a pair of
ergonomically-designed pruners like the Fiskars Powergear bypass pruner. Built to work with your hand motion instead and with a built-in gear that increases your pruning power, you'll be amazed how the Powergear bypass pruner keeps your hands from pain or fatigue.
While honest-to-goodness spring is still a couple months
away, now is a great time to take stock of what projects you need to accomplish
to start the season right. Whether it’s a pruner for your trees, advice on the
best pruning techniques, or just a few primroses to brighten your front porch,
now is a great time to stop in at your favorite local nursery and see what’s in
store for spring.
