Sprucing Up Gardens for Spring
Well spring is almost on us now, so let’s explore other things we can be doing to improve our gardens. We are going to discuss fertilizers again, spring vegetable planting, and Roses!
1. In our last newsletter we discussed using various rated fertilizers, but it was neglected to mention what the ratings are, and what other options we can use for our planting and gardens. To begin with the 5-10-5 rating or other combinations of numbers represent what the composite of the fertilizer is. The first number is the Nitrogen, the second number is Phosphorus, and the last number is Potash, the number is a percentage. In our example: the first 5 is guaranteed Nitrogen, the 10 is Phosphorus, and the last 5 Potash percentage by weight. Another issue is the use of organic fertilizers. That would be the use of Steer Manure for example which is commonly used. Other organic fertilizers are Acetobacter and Rhizobium.
2. Spring vegetable planting is done by the climatic rating of our location on a climate zones map. Our region is generally listed as an area 8. When looking up the vegetables for spring planting in Sunset, they recommended a whole slew of seeds to be planted in February March. No matter what you select, it’s suggested waiting for Mid-March to plant any seeds. The later seeds are planted, the better chance you have in avoiding a late frost from wiping them out. A whole slew of vegetables are open to planting in April when the night temperatures are beginning to warm up.
3. Roses! Yes bare root roses are best planted in the late February/March. They come in various grades. The grades are simple, 1, 1 1/2., and 2. Grade 1 is the best, grade1 ½ is the middle, and 2 is the OK, it’s not the best of the best but the least desirable of the grades. When purchasing the roses look for live limbs, no dead limbs. Look for stock buds and the location of the bud to make sure they are generally going to spread out. And any dead wood. One could find a minimal amount of dead wood with grade 2. Here are the various types of roses you can purchase for your rose needs. Miniature or carpet roses: Generally 1’ in height
Floribunda Generally 2-4 ft.
Hybrid Teas Generally 3-5 ft.
Grandiflora’s Generally 4-6 ft.
Shrub roses again generally 4-6’
Once you have picked your roses out this spring, ask for a planting guide from the nursery and follow their directions you cannot go wrong. Oh one more last tip for existing rose enthusiast. It has been recommended by rose coinsures to place about a ¼ a bag of aged steer manure around each rose you prune in spring. The roses will love you for it!
So as they say at the end of cartoons, “Thanks all Folks” for now that is.
The Landscape Committee
