With well-earned, warmer weather right around the bend, what is the best way to ready the yard for the spring and summer season?
According to Kathi Carr, an avid planter and Sun Day gardening columnist, her first suggestion about starting to garden this season is “don’t.”
“My main advice would be don’t garden right now. The soil is too wet,” she said, commenting on the abundant snow contributing to the ground’s moisture. “Now is a great time to think about what you want to do. Do some research on plants or maybe put some designs together.”
However, for those green thumbs who are itching to dig into the dirt, there are other ways to get a jumpstart on the yard.
According to Ed Schuckert, University of Illinois Master Gardener and Sun City resident, cleaning up from the cold months is essential.
“If you mow your own lawn, the first mowing should be about two inches. And the next time, mow two and a half to three and a half inches,” he said.
Shrubs and trees can be pruned now as well, says Schuckert. He advises holding off on maple and oak trees until June and the end of summer, respectively, and he warns against pruning flowering shrubs until after they have bloomed.
Carr also suggested preparation tactics.
“Some cleanup work can be done, such as raking leaves, picking up debris, and cutting down ornamental grasses,” she said.
Merely observing one’s yard can also inform gardeners of how much work needs to be done.
“Simply walk around the outside of your home and evaluate what your yard looks like. Look for any rabbit damage or vole damage that may have been done over the winter. Check the water spigot for water leaks. Most home owners haven’t walked around their homes in four months,” she said.
In addition to outdoor prep, Schuckert suggested that gardeners start seeds indoors, but to wait several weeks until planting them outside.
“We’re in [hardiness] Zone 5, and the frost date is May 5th, plus or minus ten days. In other words, you might have frost up until the 15th of May,” he warned.
Carr proposed similar guidelines.
“It depends on the weather and what you’re planting and on the soil conditions. As a general rule of thumb, April is typically a good month to plant trees and shrubs, maybe some perennial flowers toward mid-April, and then annual flowers in May,” she said.
For those interested in digging deeper into gardening, Schuckert will hold a Q and A session every Tuesday starting April 28th, from 10a.m. to 12p.m. at the Sun City Lodge, as well as a basic pruning class at the lodge on March 30th at 6:30p.m. No preregistration is necessary.
