I almost hate to say it, but it’s sure starting to feel a little bit like spring! Of course, this weekend’s forecast includes the potential for snow, so winter’s not over just yet. But with several beautiful days recently, it’s easy to think that spring is coming early. And after last year’s miserably cool, wet spring, I think we’re all hoping for a nicer season ahead. So as the plants in your yard start to wake up from a winter’s rest, what tasks can or should you get started on outdoors?
First, let me offer a word of caution. Without trying to put too much of a damper on your hopes of spring, remember the last few years? We’ve had some very cold weather in February and even well into March, so please don’t think that a couple of days of sun mean spring is here. If you’re determined to work outside, great—after all, around here you take whatever sunny days you get to do a little yard work! But don’t feel too rushed on some of your early spring tasks; there will be plenty of time in early March to get them done.
That said, late winter is a great time to prune many of the shrubs and trees around your yard. If you have fruit trees to prune, try to prune as late in winter as possible to avoid any damage from late freezes. When pruning, remove any water sprouts—fast-growing, upright branches—and branches that rub together or compete for space. Also, actively work to thin the branching in your trees to keep an open form, remembering that fruit trees will be healthier and have better fruit production when given proper sun exposure and air circulation. Don’t be timid about pruning too hard when trying to achieve open branching—as a popular saying goes, “When in doubt, thin it out!”
As for other ‘treatments’ for your fruit trees, I don’t recommend using wound sealer after pruning. Too often the sealer can still allow water in and then trap it, causing more rot damage than if pruning had been done properly in the first place and the wound had been allowed to heal out in the open. Now is, however, a good time to apply a dormant spray to combat any diseases that may have overwintered, and if you’re sick of battling suckers at the base of your fruit (or other) trees each year, stop in at Vander Giessen Nursery for a bottle of Sucker Stopper, an easy-to-use spray that utilizes plant hormones to prevent growth of suckers.
If the thought of so much pruning has your hands hurting already, maybe it’s time for a new pair of pruners. After all, a whole year of gardening lies ahead, and that can mean a lot of pruning. If your hands fatigue easily or if you suffer with arthritis, it’s worth it to try a pair of ergonomically-designed pruners like the Fiskars Powergear bypass pruner. Built to work with your hand motion instead and with a built-in gear that increases your pruning power, you’ll be amazed how the Powergear bypass pruner keeps your hands from pain or fatigue.
While honest-to-goodness spring is still a couple months away, now is a great time to take stock of what projects you need to accomplish to start the season right. Whether it’s a pruner for your trees, advice on the best pruning techniques, or just a few primroses to brighten your front porch, now is a great time to stop in at your favorite local nursery and see what’s in store for spring.