By Jennifer Fairfield, owner Garden Mill
The weather in the last week or so has been a reminder that spring in Michigan can be, shall we say, “interesting?”
Going from 70’s to snow in a matter of days shouldn’t surprise any of us who have lived here for even just a few years, but it still always seems to catch us by surprise when it happens. We’re not done with the “interesting” weather yet, so don’t get too far ahead of yourself in your garden just yet, but don’t let it stop you from getting some things done either.
Indoor and Outdoor Gardening Tasks:
If you are starting plants from seed, start eggplant, pepper, and tomato seeds indoors now, so they will be ready to put out in your garden in about eight weeks. These heat-loving plants are some of the last to go out in the garden, once all chance of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°, which is usually around Memorial Day.
Putting them out too soon can slow down their growth, so you really don’t gain anything by getting them in too early.
Before starting to plant outdoors, test your soil. Your soil conditions change over time, so it’s best to do this every year. Knowing what your soil is lacking makes giving it what it needs to support good plant growth so much easier. It’s also a way to be sure that you aren’t spending money unnecessarily on fertilizers you don’t need.
You can do a simple soil test at home, or get a more in-depth analysis from the Michigan State University Extension Service.
Turn your compost pile to ensure that everything is getting enough oxygen. All the wet weather we have had can cause compost to become compressed, depleting oxygen at the center and bottom of the pile. Turning the pile will help to “fluff” the material, allowing more oxygen to get to all areas of the pile, and getting more oxygen to the material will help it break down more quickly.
Need more information on composting? Check out Michigan State University’s Smart Gardening tips for composting.
Check to make sure you have what you need for the season. Replace or repair gloves (on sale this month at The Garden Mill) and garden hoses that have holes, as well as garden supports and stakes that have broken or worn down. Mend or replace fences that leave your plants vulnerable to deer and rabbits. Make sure your power equipment is in good working order and that pruning and cutting tools are sharp.
If you covered perennials with mulch for the winter, as it starts to warm up, pull the mulch away from plants that are starting to poke up out of the ground to help the soil warm up more quickly and reduce the chance of mold. Add compost to the soil around your plants after you have removed mulch. This helps improve the soil’s structure and adds nutrients.
Wait to add new mulch to your planting beds, trees, and shrubs until the soil has warmed up fully – usually after Mother’s Day. Putting down new mulch too soon can keep the soil from warming up and slow your plants’ growth and flowering.
Spring mulching should be done in a thinner layer than fall mulching – just a couple of inches is perfect for helping to suppress weeds and keep the soil temperature and moisture consistent.
Avoid mounding mulch around tree trunks – and don’t let your landscapers do it. “Mulch volcanoes,” such as those shown here, are among the worst things you can do for trees, as it causes damage to bark, can kill roots, and leads to roots girdling (strangling) the tree trunk. A 2”-3” even layer of mulch spread around the tree, starting from 2” away from the trunk, is just what your tree needs.
The University of Nebraska Extension Service has more details about the ill effects of bad mulching practices and advice on how to do it right.
