Spring To-Do List

 

 

What to Do Now

 

• Plant trees, shrubs, container-grown roses, and perennials. Early spring is a great planting season in East Texas. Planting now gives roots time to begin establishing before the intense heat of summer arrives.

• Apply pre-emergent if the timing is still appropriate. Pre-emergent herbicides need to be applied before the targeted weed seeds germinate, so don’t rely solely on a calendar date. Follow the product label and consider soil temperatures and the weeds you’re trying to prevent. Remember, pre-emergent generally won’t control weeds that are already actively growing.

• You can lay sod. Warm-season sod may still be partially dormant and brown when installed in early spring, but it can begin establishing roots as conditions warm. Keep newly laid sod properly watered and expect green-up timing to vary with the type of grass and weather.

• Watch your roses for new spring growth. As roses begin actively growing, evaluate whether fertilizer is needed. If you fertilize, choose a product appropriate for roses and follow the label directions.

• Check established shrubs. Spring can be an appropriate time to fertilize shrubs that need additional nutrients, but don’t automatically feed every plant with a 13-13-13 fertilizer. Fertilizer needs vary by plant and soil conditions. If fertilizer is needed, use an appropriate product at the labeled rate and water it in as directed.

• Watch for aphids. These tiny, soft-bodied insects often gather on tender new growth and may be green, black, yellow, brown, or other colors. A strong stream of water may be enough to reduce a light infestation. For heavier problems, insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, or another product labeled for aphids and the particular plant may be appropriate.

Before reaching for a systemic insecticide, consider the plant and whether it’s flowering or attracting pollinators. Some systemic insecticides can pose risks to pollinators, so identify the pest first and follow all label restrictions carefully.

• Prune summer-flowering shrubs as appropriate. Many shrubs that bloom primarily on new growth can be pruned in late winter or early spring, but pruning time depends on the species. Don’t automatically prune every summer-blooming shrub by the end of March.

• Clean up established perennials. Remove dead stems and damaged foliage before fresh spring growth gets too far along. Fertilize only when appropriate for the particular perennial and growing conditions rather than automatically applying an all-purpose fertilizer.

• Feed seasonal color when needed. Container-grown and heavily blooming annuals may benefit from fertilizer during active growth. Choose a fertilizer appropriate for flowering plants and follow the label for application rate and frequency.

• Finish necessary dormant-season tree pruning. Dead, damaged, or hazardous branches can be addressed as needed, but major pruning timing varies by tree species. Avoid unnecessary pruning simply because it’s March.

 
 

What Not to Do Yet

 

• Don’t rush to fertilize a dormant lawn. Wait until your warm-season turf has actively resumed growth and is ready to use the nutrients. Green weeds in an otherwise dormant lawn aren’t a sign that the grass itself is ready for fertilizer.

• Don’t automatically fertilize Azaleas while they’re blooming. If fertilizer is needed, feeding after flowering and as active growth begins is generally preferable. Choose a fertilizer appropriate for acid-loving plants and follow the label rather than fertilizing simply because of the date.

• Don’t rush warm-season grass seed into cold soil. Bermuda, Centipede, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses germinate and establish better once soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for the particular species. Soil temperature is more useful than relying on a fixed mid-April date or nighttime air temperature.

• Don’t prune Pines simply because it’s spring. Pines have different pruning requirements than many deciduous landscape trees. Pruning should be based on the species and your reason for making the cut. Avoid unnecessary removal of healthy branches, and don’t assume sap or “bleeding” by itself means the tree is being harmed.

 
 

Let the Weather & Your Plants Be Your Guide

 

March can be a busy month in an East Texas garden, but the calendar isn’t the only thing that determines when a garden chore should be done. Soil temperatures, weather, plant growth, turfgrass activity, and the particular plants you’re growing all matter.

Pay attention to what your landscape is doing, read product labels carefully, and you’ll be ready to make the most of another spring gardening season!