In the Garden - DO`s and DON`TS

This is the time of year when you can do many things that will make your garden stronger, healthier, and happier in the quickly approaching spring. All suggestions below are easy, not terribly time consuming, and often fun. We encourage you to take a look below and venture forward.

DON`TS
Even though the sun may be shining brightly and some of the days are warm,
DO NOT:
* remove the mulch from around your plants;
* prune the winter-damaged branches on your shrubs and trees*;
* start sowing seeds outdoors because there is most definitely still a chance of frost (usually the last frost date in our area is March 15).

DOS
Use this time to get a head-start on your garden.
DO:
* start your seeds inside now in anticipation of setting them outdoors after March 15**;
* pull up the information as to what seeds are viable at this time on the IFAS website and check in the seed catalogues and on back of the seeds packs;
* continue to force bulbs indoors;
* force cuttings from soon-to-be but not-quite-yet flowering shrubs such as redbud, azaleas, dogwood, gardenias and cherry***;
* float camellia blossoms in a bowl of water;
* plant deciduous fruits such as apples, peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, figs, pecans, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, and persimmons (find suitable varieties at http://edis,ifas,ufl,edu/MG248);
* plant bare-root roses now since rainfall is usually more frequent at this time of the year although you will have to water if is doesn`t rain once or twice a week;
* check all plants for over-wintering of diseases and insects;
* use water as plant protection but make sure that you only water the soil and not the plant and do it several hours before sunset;
* build a small hoop greenhouse or a cold frame (not much in the way of materials, not much money, not much work) but very worthwhile and rewarding. Online directions and patterns are available from which to chose;
* build a potting bench out of a recycled table.

*Try not to do anything in the landscape that will encourage a lot of tender regrowth such as heavy pruning or fertilizing.

**When starting seeds, use sterile, well-drained potting medium such as sand; be sure you have enough natural light and add additional artificial light if necessary; ensure enough warmth; be on the look out for damping off, the fungal disease caused by keeping the soil too wet. Instead, try watering from the bottom.

***Put branches in a sterile glass container that has been partially filled with warm water and floral preservative which may be bought at florists or Michael`s Craft Store. Be certain to remove any leaves that are below the water level.

By the time you`ve finished the above-mentioned projects, it should be time to plant outside!

HAPPY GARDENING