I know there are certain steps (or things to consider) when gardening season returns after a long winter hiatus. What can I do to make sure that it comes back as bright and beautiful as ever?
Miranda H. emailed us at expert@sweetspot.ca, and SweetHome gardening expert Mark Cullen, answered;
Garden Soil Prep: Take a look at your garden soil before you do any planting this spring. Ninety per cent of the success you achieve in the garden is the result of good soil prep.
Your soil should be loose and friable with the ability to drain freely. If this does not describe your garden soil, I recommend that you add generous quantities of organic compost. By "generous quantities", I suggest that you add 4 to 6 centimetres (2 to 3 inches) of compost or triple mix to the surface of your garden beds.
Well-fed soil breeds strong, disease-tolerant plants. Insects are less prone to feed on healthy plants as the natural defenses of the plant are working at their optimum levels.
Lawn Care: The best method of growing a healthy, weed-free lawn is to produce a thick, healthy grass that will shade out weeds and crabgrass, eliminating the need for herbicides.
The first step is to use a spring-tined rake to remove any debris, dead grass, leaves, etc. from the lawn (and add it to your compost pile).
Secondly, spread a 2 to 4 centimetre layer of triple mix over the lawn, concentrating on depressions and thin areas. Sow a quality grass seed, such as CIL Golfgreen, at a rate of 1 kilogram for every 80 square metres. Keep the area watered and evenly moist until the grass seed germinates.
If your lawn is in good shape, simply repair any bare spots and fertilize with a quality spring fertilizer with slow release nitrogen like Golfgreen. The slow release nitrogen will last for up to 10 weeks, no need to repeat application until late spring or early summer.
Take time to have some fun in your garden – it's spring!
Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author and broadcaster. You can watch him on CTV Canada AM every Wednesday at 8:45 a.m., and read his weekly column in the New Homes & Condos section of the Saturday Toronto Star. Mark’s latest book is The Canadian Garden Primer, An Organic Approach, available at Home Hardware and major bookstores.
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