By Jennifer Fairfield
Have you walked your property to see how much damage was done by last weekend’s wind?
Winter weather and animals can cause a great deal of damage to trees and shrubs. Prune off any damage you find sooner rather than later.
Be sure to finish any pruning that needs to be done yet by mid-month. Don’t wait until the weather starts to warm up to do this task. It’s not good for your trees and shrubs for all kinds of reasons, including making them vulnerable to insects and disease that are active in warm weather.
There are some trees and shrubs that will do better being pruned later in the year, mostly those that flower really early, but everything else should be done while it’s still below freezing most days.
We’ve had a lot of ice this winter, which is unusual – that’s usually March weather, not January and February weather. Don’t expect that, since we have had all that March weather already, we’re done with it, though. Since we can still expect ice and freezing rain this month, be sure to spread ice melt carefully on sidewalks and driveways to avoid damage to nearby plants. Consider using sand or sawdust instead, or some of the “safer” ice melts available these days.
Purdue University’s extension service has a great deal of information on salt damage and alternative products, as well as offering a long list of plants that are more tolerant of salt for you to consider planting in areas where that might be a concern.
As the temperatures start to warm up and the snow begins to melt, check plants to make sure they have not been pushed out of the ground by frost heave. If they have, gently press them back down to prevent damage to the roots and plant. Then give the plant a good layer of mulch to protect from future thaw and re-freeze cycles that are bound to happen this month.
Try to stay off the lawn and out of garden beds as much as possible as things begin to thaw. Wet soil is easily compacted by walking on it at this time, and compacted soil is very difficult for anything to grow in.
If the soil is workable at all later this month, consider doing a soil test so that you know what your plants or grass need before you start adding fertilizers. Garden Mill sells a very good at-home test kit at the store, or you can send away for a more comprehensive test kit from the MSU extension.
For the birds:
Continue to feed them. The options for food in nature are really slim for birds at this point, so give them as much help as you can. Pretty soon, they will return the favor by eating the insects that start showing up in your garden. Also, continue to provide water for them. With the freezing temps we continue to have, it is difficult for birds to find a source of drinking water. Provide such a source in your yard, and they will literally flock to your yard.
Clean out nest boxes, or put up new ones. Many birds will begin to scout out nesting sites this month, so cleaning out existing houses or putting up new ones now will encourage them to take up residence at your home – and they’ll be feeding their young with insects from your yard this spring.
While you’re planning your garden this month, keep the birds in mind. Consider varieties of trees, shrubs and other plants that can provide sources of nesting places, shelter, or food for birds.
Both the Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology have great information for choosing plants that are beneficial for birds.
