Spring Gardening Tips:
by Linda Engelson

At last winter is loosening it's grip on South Dakota after what seems to have been a very long, cold season. The older natives of the area assure me that this was a more 'normal' winter compared to the last several years. Nonetheless, with November's onslaught of cold and snow, many of us had not finished all our outdoor garden activities so this leaves us with a few extra chores for spring. Fortunately, we are tired of being cooped up in the house and are anxious to begin our spring clean-up chores. As a gardener and as a professional in the field, I get many of the same garden questions each spring, so I am going to go over a general list of garden must-dos to get your landscapes and gardens ready for the warm seasons.

In March and April deciduous plant material such as shrubs and trees require pruning while dormant. Spireas, potentillas, and most blooming shrubs can be shaped and thinned of older growth to allow new young growth to appear. An older dogwood, hydrangea, or lilac can benefit from trimming to three inches above the ground to promote active new growth and better form. Junipers can be shaped and sized back to get a more uniform plant, using care to leave new needle growth over most of the plant. Many juniper forms will get a long arm that looks out of place so feel free to cut it back to balance the plant. After I remove old and dead branches I remove debris and fertilize with Jirdon Tree and Shrub Fertilizer. I have had great success with this product and highly recommend it for our alkaline, low iron soils and old or discolored junipers ofter need a good dose of iron to get healthy growth and good color. Super Iron is another product that I use freely in my landscaped beds as many of the deciduous shrubs in the area are sorely lacking in iron, as noted by the gardener that sees a sickly yellowing of foliage. Application of balanced fertilizers should be made between spring ground thaw and the first week of June and should be watered in well. In areas where rock or wood mulch and fabric has been used , fertilize as usual over the surface and around the drip line of the plant and water in well. Most trees in lawn areas will receive enough nutrient from your lawn fertilizer application and will require no additional fertilization. When shopping for a good lawn fertilizer buy a product high in iron and formulated for the soils in our area. Jirdon fertilizers are especially formulated for alkaline soils with low iron and are available at Jolly Lane Greenhouse. Applicators can be checked out at the time of purchase so the homeowner can apply fertilizers when the time is right for them.

Ah....the perennial and flower beds. Don't we love our flowers and what better way to ensure a good show than to do a thorough spring cleanup and fertilization. I begin in my perennial beds at the end of March and remove all the old leaves and dead plant material and purposely throw it onto the lawn area so when I'm done with my cleanup, I mow over the debris with the lawnmower with bag attachment and place my wonderful mulched debris in the compost bin. By chopping up the dried plant material and layering it with well rotted manure I get many bushels of compost more quickly than if the debris is left in large pieces. When this task is completed it is so gratifying to see the new growth popping out of the ground. At this time I like to sprinkle a balanced flower garden fertilizer, in granular form, over the soil or mulch around the plants. I am careful not to place granules on the crown of the new growth as it will harm the plant. Use a garden cultivator or hoe to lightly scratch the granules into the surface regardless of mulch. Loosening the mulch in perennial areas helps to aerate the soil and fluff-up the appearance of wood mulches. I use wood chips or cedar mulch to help retain moisture in my beds so in the spring I top dress while plants are barely emerging and try to keep a good two to three inch layer over all. By doing this, I conserve my water usage and can have a clear conscience about the abundance of flowers I'll have. I like to spade up the areas I plant to annuals with aged manure (25%), bone meal (good layer so it shows), and my compost. I turn this mixture in real well with my Jirdon's Gardener's Special and then as soon as it warm enough to plant I'm ready to play . Off to the garden centers I go to find new and unusual annuals and perennials to pop into the beautiful black soil.

Speaking of new and unusual varieties I'd like to comment on trends I see in the gardening industry in both magazines and public gardens. All forms of vines and interesting structure to support them are very hot. Trellises, arbors, gazebos, obelisks and topiaries are in high demand because of the added dimension it gives an otherwise flat areas. They aren't just attached to the house, but are free standing and so interesting. Jolly Lane has some new and exciting vines to try that are both annual and perennial and we can provide you with information on paintless, lifetime garden structures that can enhance any home. Water gardening has been the big movement in landscaping. The sound of water and the natural setting with water and bog plants takes our suburban homes right into the country. The added of joy of birds and wildlife are frosting on the cake. I can't let you go without sharing the new color trends we see in plant combinations. It is so exciting to see the burgandy, red, deep purple and chartruese green combinations planted up. The yellow-green leaves and textures added to almost any container or hanging basket will make it eye-catching and fresh. The containerized gardening trends are still going strong as it invites us to use them in areas where we normally wouldn't be allowed to garden such as patios, apartments, and above the ground decks. Use the containers to extend your decorating style into your gardens and outdoor living areas. Jolly Lane Greenhouse is known for it's outstanding hanging baskets and containers throughout this area because they believe in being innovative and fun. They carry all the materials and plants so you can build your own, or buy a couple finished ones to enjoy while your containers come along. We suggest us ing a soilless growing mix, a time-release fertilizer like Osmocote, and liquid fertilizer every two weeks, to ensure a bountiful bloom.

Feel free to stop in and visit with the experts at our full service garden center to answer your gardening and landscaping questions and to find the supplies the professionals use in their landscapes. You won't believe the exciting items you'll find. Meanwhile, I'd better dust off my gloves, grab my pruners, and get my spring gardens into shape. Have a great gardening season!