Gardening by Osmosis

It seems spring is in a hurry to catch up after the long, long, cold winter. All of a sudden grass is green, buds are bursting and birds are looking for housing.

We gardeners are caught up in the frenzy as well. There are remnant leaves to rake, winter damage to access and warm weather plans to put in place.

It is still time to apply low release fertilizer to most plants except Rhododendrons, Azaleas and blueberries. They should be fertilized after blooming with an acidic based application.

It is a little early to transplant tomatoes, peppers, squash and cucumbers but a good time to plant strawberries and potatoes.

Seeds of carrots and peas can go in the garden now but hold on to bean and corn and pumpkin seeds until the soil is consistently warmer. (Even as late as the first of June!)

Local garden clubs will be advertising their plant sales soon. It is delightful to visit with “real gardeners” and learn about their specialties. Often bargains of long lived heirloom varieties are available for sale.

Local nurseries are often a better bet for zone hardy plants than online sources. Their selections are most likely acclimated to our growing conditions.

Some reliable nurseries and growers in our west plains area include:

Blue Moon Nursery

Trellis andTable

Lima Greenhouses and Vickie’s Garden

Just look them up online for more information.

After all the brown in my garden I am in awe of almost every living green thing. That is except the weeds that have no discretion where they sprout up.

No doubt I will be uttering unfavorable comments about them as I purchase selected herbicides and sharp spades to combat them.

If you and dandelions have an ongoing battle there are several options for coping with these hardy perennials.

Dandelions are delicacies for pollinators. If you can stand to ignore their sweet little yellow faces, you may still be able to enjoy your green lawn if you mow them down before the puffy seed heads form.

If a carpet of yellow is not your preferred idea of a lawn there are products available that can kill those broad-leaved invaders. It is extremely important, however to carefully read all the information on the label before using any herbicide.

I invite you to marvel with me at the frilled wide open throats of the daffodils and inhale the fragrance of the violets in the grass.

We will watch the bushes, drab in our landscapes this long cold season, transform into soft blushes and whispers of green.

And we will enjoy this season of promise as spring unfurls its magic before our very eyes.

Please contact the WSU Spokane County Master Gardeners

spokane-county.wsu.edu/spokane/

or call 509-477-2181 for more information