Hello, Spring? Where are you? I’ve been trying to reach you and I’m getting worried. Today is your big debut for 2023.
This particular winter will go down as one for the books, especially if you’re reading social media. Nobody is a fan of this slush/snow stuff. The average high temperature in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area for March 20th is 44 degrees. The forecast currently says we might hit 37 degrees. We JUST had an overnight temperature ranging from 3 to 10 degrees in parts of the state. Come ON… And don’t talk to me about that WIND!
All of us gardeners are getting so itchy! And not just from the thick layers of clothing but from wanting to get out there and cut back our perennials we left up all winter. This time of year is when we want to get out into our landscapes and assess. This year I’ll be assessing all the rabbit damage. There’s a LOT. Too bad those cute little bunnies need to eat. All.My.Shrubs. I wrote about this earlier and I’m still a bit bugged about the bunny battles this year! On the other hand, I could consider new shrubs! Hmm…
My cotoneaster was about 4 ft tall
This poor Dwarf Burning Bush has been the hands down favorite for the rabbits this year
But spring is here regardless of the temperatures. What you DO need to take into consideration, as I’ve mentioned before, is your soil. Is it wet? Soggy? Spongy? Then stay off it as much as you can. Treading on soggy soil compacts it.
Here is a link to great info from the University of Minnesota Extension on what soil is (a living organism) and ways to keep your soil healthy. If your soil is compacted, add a thick layer of compost. Don’t use sand to amend clay soils, use gypsum. It will take repeated additions along with time.
Some things you can do now include:
- Raking/shoveling out snow piles to allow them to melt faster and help prevent mold. That doesn’t mean you should rake out any lawn that is showing.
- If you can gently get into your gardens, then start cutting back perennials, leaving about 3 inches of stem. Same for your ornamental grasses.
- Compost the leftovers or…
- Set aside the grass tops for mulch in your vegetable garden.
- Clean out your annual containers so they’ll be prepped and ready to plant those pansies!
- Look over your hand tools. Clean them up if you haven’t already.
- Start (or continue to) plan your gardens. Are you trying a new vegetable? Planning out another garden bed? Adding more shrubs or trees?
- Prune dead or damaged branches only.
- Talk with the experts at Gertens, they really are good at what they do!
Kicking winter to the curb,
