Got the Gardening Itch Yet?

It’s almost that time again, the one time of the year we most eagerly anticipate. Gardening time. All of us want to get started as soon as we can. If you are in the chompin’ at the bit group, there are a few things to get started. Trim tree limbs now before the sap begins to flow. Limbs that hang over or are too close to the house need to go. The same with too much shade over sidewalks and driveways. This is also a good time to trim limbs that are shading beds. I have an especially needy flower bed in front, guarded by large Aspens. I cut limbs each year to make sure light and enough hours of it can get to these beds.

Big trees need to be trimmed to let light through

A Note About New Trees – If you are thinking about planting a new tree or two, spring is a great time, but not yet. As soon as the ground has thawed enough to work efficiently is the best time. Follow planting instructions that come with the tree and don’t plant too deep. Many garden specialists recommend planting trees in the fall, but in the high country, this is not always the best advice. If the deep freeze comes too early and stays too long, or we, go through one of those, only in Wyoming, cold, warm, cold, warm cycles, fall planted trees will die.  Now all that needs to be done is to find a tree recommended for this planting zone and enjoy for years.

Driving around any city in America the worst fault of tree planting can be readily observed, too big and too close. Huge trees have a place, but most city lots are not that place. Do not plant too close to the foundation, trees need space. Want something closer to the house? Go with a flowering ornamental shrub, they look great, especially at the corners of a home.

Think Spring - but don't start gardening yet

 It is also time to trim raspberry canes, easy to tell which ones need to be cut back, the hollow brown ones. These are the canes that were two years old last year and will not leaf or fruit again.  Cut them off an inch or two above ground level.  Canes that are becoming two-year-olds are the fruiting canes and will still be limber, not brittle when bent.

A delicious addition to any back yard

A Note About Raspberries – If you are thinking about planting for the first time, go ahead, they are a great addition to the garden. But, they spread by underground runners and can make a mess of planting beds and gardens as much as twenty feet away.  In early summer take a spade and cut deeply entirely around the berries, a few feet out,  this will keep them from spreading and not hurt the health of the plants.

Meanwhile, I am still on track to plant my onion flats next week.