The Garden Blog

1. Weed and Grass Prevention with Hi-Yield Weed & Grass Preventer with Treflan

A key part of spring is ensuring that weeds don’t take over your garden beds. Preventing them from sprouting early is essential, and one of the best ways to do so is by applying Hi-Yield Weed & Grass Preventer with Treflan.

When to Apply:

Early spring, just as the soil is warming up but before weeds start to emerge.

How It Works:

This product creates a barrier in your garden beds that prevents weeds and grass from germinating, giving your plants a chance to thrive without competition. Apply this treatment under a new layer of mulch to keep your flower beds looking clean and healthy throughout the growing season.

2. Trim Back Ornamental Grasses, Rose Bushes, Panicle Hydrangeas, and Perennials

If you didn’t do a proper fall cutback on your plants, now’s the time to do it! Trimming back ornamental grasses, rose bushes, hydrangeas, and perennials ensures that new growth can emerge freely in spring.

What to Trim:

• Ornamental Grasses: Cut them back to a few inches above the ground to encourage fresh, healthy shoots.
• Rose Bushes: Prune any dead or damaged wood and shape the bushes for better air circulation and growth.
• Panicle Hydrangeas: Prune any old stems to encourage a new round of vibrant blooms.
• Perennials: Cut back old foliage to make way for fresh growth.

By giving these plants a good trim, you’ll help them focus their energy on new growth, resulting in stronger, more vibrant plants.

3. Fertilize Your Lawn

A healthy, lush lawn starts with proper fertilization. As the weather warms up, your lawn will need a nutrient boost to help it recover from winter stress. Fertilizing in early spring encourages growth and gives your grass a strong foundation for the season.

Choose Between These Two Fertilizer Options:

• Scotts Step 1: Pre-Emergent and Fertilizer Combo (28-0-7)
  • Purpose: Strengthens your lawn and prevents weeds and crabgrass before they even have a chance to germinate.
  • When to Apply: Mid-March to Mid-April.
  • Tip: For best results, water your lawn after application to help activate the granules. This will ensure that the pre-emergent treatment works effectively.
• Fertilome Step 1: All Season Lawn Food Plus Crabgrass and Weed Preventer (16-0-8)
  • Purpose: Nourishes your lawn after a harsh winter and prevents weed seeds from germinating with the active ingredient Prodiamine.
  • When to Apply: Early spring, from March to mid-April.
  • Tip: This fertilizer provides up to five months of nutrition and helps develop stronger root systems, ensuring your lawn stays healthy throughout the season.

Both options offer great benefits, so choose the one that best suits your needs and follow the application instructions carefully.

4. Fertilize Your Evergreens with Holly-tone

Evergreens need a bit of extra care in spring to ensure they stay healthy and vibrant. Fertilizing them with a high-quality organic fertilizer like Holly-tone is a great way to provide essential nutrients and promote strong growth throughout the season.

When to Apply:

Early spring, just as the weather warms up.

How It Helps:

Holly-tone is specially formulated for acid-loving plants like evergreens, azaleas, and rhododendrons. It helps improve soil acidity and provides a slow-release feeding for your plants, keeping them healthy all season long.

5. Prep Your Vegetable Garden with Compost and White Oak Planting Mix

Spring is the perfect time to start prepping your vegetable garden for planting. The soil needs to be rich in nutrients to support healthy vegetable growth throughout the season. Adding compost and a quality planting mix, like White Oak Planting Mix, will give your plants a solid foundation.

What You Need to Do:

• Add Compost: Spread a generous amount of compost over your garden bed to improve soil texture, drainage, and nutrient content.
• Use White Oak Planting Mix: This specially blended mix helps to create the ideal environment for your plants, ensuring that they get the right balance of nutrients and moisture.

Tip: For a more personalized touch, consider getting your soil tested to ensure you’re adding the right mix of nutrients for your specific garden needs.

6. Layer New Mulch

Once you’ve applied your weed preventer and fertilizer, it’s time to add a fresh layer of mulch to your garden beds. Mulch helps retain moisture, prevents weeds, and adds a clean, finished look to your garden. Plus, it regulates soil temperature, keeping your plants cool in the summer and insulated in the winter.

When to Apply:

After all your other spring tasks, once your soil is ready and your plants have been trimmed.

Tip: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around your plants, making sure to keep it away from plant stems to avoid rot.