Part of the promise of the spring season is the wonder of new growth. Trees bloom in flowers and bud in new leaves, flowers push through the ground, and lawns come to life with green grass and wildflowers.
Taming this burst of life into an organized yard and a thriving garden is the goal of many home gardeners. But for the newly initiated or those with poor past performance, where is the best place to start?
Murray Hammond, horticulturalist for the Poplar Bluff Parks Department, offers many helpful hints on how to make your garden grow brighter and more healthy.
For those who love the early blooms of tulips and daffodils, you’ll have to wait until the fall to plant bulbs where you want the flowers to come up.
However, if you have a pot or container where those flowers are already blooming, you can transplant them into your garden in the spring.
Annual flowers are abundant at lawn and garden outlets. These annual flowers, such as petunias, impatiens and marigolds, require liquid fertilizer every two weeks after spring planting.
Preparing the soil is also crucial, Hammond says. He points out that most yards are composed of high amounts of clay, so it’s necessary to add composted garden soil for best results.
Hammond says when planting anything — flowers, shrubs, or trees — dig the hole bigger than what you’re planting and mix the native soil with the garden soil before you fill it in.
“Use a plant starter or root stimulator to prevent shock and promote growth,” he says.
Watering is important, of course, but how much is enough?
“Water the plant well on the first day,” Hammond says. “Water your plants on every third day if it doesn’t rain.”
He adds the size of the plant will also determine how much water it needs.
For those who like to attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, native wildflowers are your best choice.
“If you decide to attract pollinating animals, be cautious about what you are planting and where it will be located,” Hammond says.
Gardeners should pay attention to how high the flowers will grow, when they will bloom, and whether they thrive in the sun or in the shade.
“The tags on most plants usually tell you this information,” Hammond says.
For people who want to plant shrubs in their yard, Hammond says that boxwoods are the lowest maintenance.
These plants are broadleaf evergreens, but they come in many varieties, so be sure to know what you’re getting and where you plan to locate it.
“A Wintergreen boxwood can grow six feet high and six feet wide,” he says.
Know your terminology as well. A Dwarf Alberta Spruce, which is a popular corner plant near a house, can actually grow very tall.
The word “dwarf” refers to its rate of annual growth, which is three inches or less.
Hammond says for flowering shrubs, don’t fertilize them while they are in bloom. Wait until the blooms fall off, then prune and fertilize.
“Knowing when to prune is important,” he says. “Some shrubs set their blooms in the fall, and if they are pruned at this time, they won’t bloom in the spring.”
If you’re wanting to plant trees, Hammond says native species are best, and he recommends maple trees.
“They are quick growing and provide lots of shade,” he says.
In addition to their brilliant fall colors, their leaves fall off quickly for easy cleanup.
If you buy a tree whose roots are wrapped in burlap, you should have it planted by May.
He doesn’t recommend fruit trees, however.
“Fruit trees are a lot of work,” he says.
Some of the reasons are spraying for pests, the need for pollination on some varieties, the time needed to care for them, and the low yield of fruit in many cases.
“The fruit usually ends up getting eaten by deer,” he says.
For new trees that you do plant, he recommends a ring of mulch about 3-4 inches thick around the tree to help capture water, but don’t place the mulch up against the trunk of the new tree.
For those looking for more information, Hammond says the Missouri Department of Conservation is an excellent resource to learn about caring for native plants in our area.
He also said that for whatever you’re planting, looking up specific information on the type of plant you have for further care instructions can also help you grow a beautiful, healthy garden and yard.