Still Too Early for Any Planting

Saturday, March 13, 2010 03:49 AM

This early spring like weather is getting people anxious to get a head start on their gardening. I would advise people to be careful, as Prince George can still experience some cold temperatures. I have seen it before, when March is mild and then in April we experience a cold snap which can be damaging to plants and trees. These late April cold temperatures can dehydrate young developing buds and new growth. With most or all of the snow gone the ground is left bare with no snow cover to protect the soil from the frost coming into the ground. If we get very cold April temperatures this could be damaging for the roots of plants if the frost begins to get too deep into the soil. Snow is ‘Mother Nature’s’ thermal blanket that protects the plants’ roots under the soil. Hopefully we will not get those cold temperatures in April!

It is still too early to do anything outside. If you have plants that are planted near the foundations of a building you may want to check the soil and see if the frost has come out and if the soil is dry. If it is dry then moisten it with water. I have noticed at home that we have a couple of areas that are showing signs of becoming too dry. You can also get the rake out and remove any sand, rock, or debris that may have collected on the lawn or yard throughout the winter from doing snow removal. I have found that it is easier to rake it off when the ground is still frozen, rather than later when it becomes wet.

Indoors, if you haven’t already done so, you can start seeds for those plants that need a longer growing seasons such as tomato, pepper, geraniums, pansy, etc.

This week we received a large shipment of summer blooming bulbs such as dahlia, stargazer lilies, hybrid lilies, canna lilies, calla lilies, packaged gladiolus, lily of the valley, etc. and these can be started indoors now and later transplanted outside in late May. By planting them now they will get a head start and so by May the plants will be well established and well on their way. They can be planted into peat pots which makes it easy for transplanting as the entire pot and plant are put into the soil which will be less stressful on the plants root system. It is important to fill the pots with a high quality potting soil as this is the foundation for the plants roots and if you are putting all the work into it you may as well spend a few more pennies and get the best results possible. There is still a large selection of tuberous begonias left and it is not too late to start these as well.

This is also the time to pick up your seeds for later and if you have any questions, this is a good time to be asking them.

-Jos

Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knapp Garden Centres in Prince George: