1. Remove Winter Protection
In the fall or early winter, you may have added some winter protection, like mulch or leaves, to the base of your plants to keep them warm throughout the cold season. When spring hits, it’s important to remove that winter protection. Mulch acts as an insulator, and when the sunshine and warm temps return, your plants won’t need any more help to keep warm.
Wait until the last snowfall or final deep freeze to remove any winter protection. If you’re unsure when that might be in your area, stay tuned in to your local weather. NGB member First Editions Shrubs & Trees compiled the average frost dates per state you can use to help you estimate when you’ll be able to remove that mulch.
If you remove your winter protection but you see a cold snap coming your way, just add it back until the warm weather returns.
2. Remember To Water
Once the weather starts warming up, it’s important to start ramping up how much you water your plants. However, it’s still important to always check the soil before watering by sticking your finger in the soil at the base of the plant. If the soil is wet, there is no need to water it that day, but do check back tomorrow. If the soil is dry, it’s ready for some water.
Generally, it’s best to give your plants a deep, thorough soak and end up watering less often than watering them a little bit every day. Remember that natural rainfall counts as watering. So, if you’ve received a bit of rain that week, you might not need to water as much.
Younger or newly planted plants will need more water until they get established.
3. Determine What Needs Pruning
As each plant variety requires something slightly different, there is no simple answer to spring pruning. Generally, summer flowering shrubs set their flower buds starting in spring, so early spring pruning is ok to do.
Panicle hydrangeas are one such plant that benefits from some early spring pruning. However, make sure to review how to prune panicle hydrangeas before diving in with your pruners. Read more about Pruning Hydrangea and how to tell a panicle hydrangea. Early spring is also a great time to selectively prune any old or dead shoots.
Spring-flowering trees and shrubs like lilacs, magnolia, azalea, spirea, flowering crabapples, pearlbush, and serviceberry all benefit from some pruning right after they finish flowering.
4. Apply Fertilizer
Like pruning, each shrub and tree require something a little different when it comes to fertilizing. However, there are some general tips that can help lead the way. Apply fertilizer in early spring when you start to see new growth.
For trees and shrubs, it is recommended to use a well-balanced, slow-release granular, or spike-form fertilizer. If you’re fertilizing container plantings, you can use a water-soluble type. Make sure to follow the directions on the bag for instructions on how to apply.
5. Get To Planting
Spring is an ideal time to get new plants in the ground, but there are a few things you can do to make them extra comfortable in their new home!
1. Select A Site
Reference the plant tag to determine what conditions your new plant loves, and pick a place in your landscape that reflects that.
2. Prepare The Soil
Once you have the site picked out take some time to assess the soil. Most shrubs can grow in different soil types, but they generally prefer well-drained soil. A rich loam soil with at least 5 percent of organic matter is ideal. If you aren’t sure what type of soil you have, pick up a soil test at your local garden center or online retailer. Follow the instructions on the package to determine the texture, pH, and nutrients present in your soil.
3. Plant
For the best garden design results, place your plants in the spaces you’re hoping to plant and take a step back. If you’re happy with how that looks, dig a hole slightly larger than the pot size and place any fertilizer, organic material, or nutrients needed to improve your soil mix in the hole. Then, place the plants. If you see that the roots are tightly packed, loosen them with your fingers before planting to encourage better root growth.
For shrubs, make sure where the base of the stems meets the soil is even with the ground level. For trees, make sure where the trunk flares out to the root system is even with the ground level. Next, refill the hole, packing soil firmly around the crown or root flare to create a dam around the plant. Fill that dam with water, let it drain, and then refill it again.
Happy Spring! Happy Gardening!
Written by NGB Member: First Editions Shrubs & Trees
“This post is provided as an educational/inspirational service of the National Garden Bureau and our members. Please credit and link to National Garden Bureau when using all or parts of this article.”