If you peep outside, you most likely will see nothing but bare trees and a cold, dismal landscape. While trying to tolerate the unusually cold weather, it is hard to imagine that within just a few weeks, the trees will be budding, and we will be itching to get into the gardens and flower beds.

Even though it is too cold for most of us to spend much time outside, now is a good time to get ready for the beautiful spring weather that will soon be here. There are a few simple tasks that can be taken care of rather quickly, and there are a lot of enjoyable tasks that can be taken care of beside the warm fireplace or in the comfort of the workshop.

Soil samples should be a high priority, especially for areas that have not been properly sampled within the past three years. Take advantage of the more comfortable sunny afternoons to slip into the garden area, around the flower beds, under the fruit trees, or across the lawn, to take some good samples of the soil. Soil boxes, information sheets, and good instructions can be obtained from any of the agents on our staff. Once you take the needed samples, you can bring them to our office. We will see that they get to the NCDA labs in Raleigh. Once your samples are processed, you will receive a report form that will give specific recommendations for liming and fertilization. You need these reports in hand in plenty of time to properly plan your liming and fertilization strategies for the coming year.

Good soil samples are critical for areas that will be established for the first time. Some of you may be planning to establish a permanent lawn, develop a new garden site, plant some fruit trees, or create some new flower beds. If the soils in these areas are acid and lime is needed, this lime should be applied prior to planting, so it can be incorporated into the soil. There may be some serious micronutrient problems that need to be handled before anything is planted. Preplant fertilizer may be needed to help the new plants get off to a vigorous start. Fruit trees, grapevines, and most ornamental trees should be pruned while they are dormant. Watch for those mild winter days during January and February to get this chore done. If you are not sure about how different plants need to be pruned, we can provide bulletins that give specific instructions. In fact, you can check out a video from our office showing the step-by-step process of pruning grapevines.

Selecting the proper plants is often a spur-of-the-moment decision for many of us. If it looks good at the nursery center, then it is sure to look good in our yard. This is often not the case. Plants should be selected based on the conditions of the site where they will be planted. If it is a shady site, shade-tolerant plants should be selected. If certain diseases such as nematodes are present in the site, then resistant varieties should be selected.

As you relax in the comfort of your home, you should spend some time studying catalogs, reviewing Extension publications, and reading materials related to the various plants you would like to place in your garden or landscape. Before you go to the garden center, you should have some idea of the type plants you need, specific varieties where necessary, or specific resistances if you have problem areas. With this information, the sales people at the garden centers are often able to better help you select the plants that will give you the best results.

If you have a comfortable work area in your shop, now is a good time to get your garden tools and garden supplies in shape for the coming season. Those tools like shears, hoes, and shovels that have cutting edges should be properly sharpened. Some tools may need some preventive maintenance to help them perform properly when you put them to work. Tillers, lawn mowers, and other equipment with gasoline engines should be properly serviced.

Your Cooperative Extension Service can provide you with much of the information and assistance you may need as you prepare for the spring. If you need information on certain plants or vegetable crops, please let us know. If you need assistance in understanding all the numbers on your soil reports, we would be glad to help. If you need to locate specific plants or supplies, we will be glad to assist.

Your gardening and landscaping will be more enjoyable and more successful if you are properly prepared. Spend the next couple of weeks getting ready for spring--it will not be as long in coming as you might think.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 4/24/01