Itching To Start Spring Garden Cleanup? Not So Fast!

By: Jessica Damiano (Associated Press)

When I awoke one morning last week to the sound of the year's first leaf blowing, I knew spring cleaning had begun; however, March roared like a lion here in the New York suburb of Long Island.

Professional landscapers couldn't logistically clean all of their clients' properties at once, on time, so they started early. This is good for them, but bad for our gardens.

In my case, I neglected the fall cleaning, opting instead to leave leaf litter, ornamental grasses, and perennials as winter shelters for pollinators and other insects. The insect is still dormant and removing debris before continuing its life cycle means removing it from my garden.

This means less food for the birds and less flowers and tomatoes for me.

The jury is out among the experts on timing, but the consensus is to keep waiting for temperatures above 50 degrees, which is when hibernating insects "wake up." Some define "continuously" as at least five days. I usually expect to spend seven nights straight in 50 degree heat.

However, it's a good idea to move plant material to a corner of your yard for a week or so before removing it from your property, just in case sleepy minds hit the snooze button.

Like clockwork, initial cleaning is achieved by pre-lubrication. Mulch keeps the garden tidy, but remember that the soil and plants don't move. They are part of a living ecosystem. Fertilizing before the soil has warmed properly will block the cold and reduce root, shrub and perennial growth. Inhibits plant growth.

And if the soil is damp, early application can cause fungal diseases, mildew and mold.

Mulch is an important part of a healthy garden. Retains soil moisture, suppresses weeds and helps maintain soil temperature. But time is of the essence. Wait until it is safe to grow annuals and warm-season vegetables in your area before planting seedlings. For me that means staying until the end of May.

Also, hold off on fertilizing your lawn until mid-spring, when it's out of dormancy and active growth. In some municipalities it is illegal to do this beforehand and it will not benefit the grass anyway. In fact, it can be painful.

Grass grown in early spring will not be able to properly utilize the nutrients it provides. They can begin growing when they must devote their energies to developing roots, which sustain the grass and help it survive summer drought. This early growth often turns white and causes yellow spots on the grass.

Fertilizers that are not used indoors or outdoors can harm the environment and groundwater when they enter the soil. And since it's not good for the grass, it's also a waste of money.

Cleaning tulips and daffodils is another exercise in patience. After each spring bloom, the leaves continue to produce energy for the following year's growth. Feel free to remove the stems if you like, but don't let the leaves turn yellow and dry.

Finally, one thing you can do now: If you can't wait to get your hands on these, now is the perfect time to buy houseplants. Move them to the next size pot -- 2 inches wider than the current one -- and give them some fertilizer, as longer days in the season encourage active growth to continue.

Jessica Damiano writes a gardening column regularly for the Associated Press. Publishes the award-winning Weekly Trash magazine. Sign up for weekly gardening tips and advice here.

___

For more AP Gardening, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gardening.