It’s a wonderful time to start planting
THE GARDEN FANATIC
“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink,
taste the fruit... Let them be your only diet drink and botanical
medicines.”
-- HENRY DAVID THOREAU
“Nothing is so beautiful as spring ... “
-- GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS
Spring is in the air in Laguna. It’s a time for flowers and sunny
days. It is the end of another mild winter and words like dormant
spray and bare root roses leave our vocabulary until next January.
Fertilize and mulch everything -- shrubs, trees, perennials and the
lawn. This is the season of rapid growth and adding nutrients will
enhance the beauty of your plants
Subtle signs of the change in the seasons are appearing throughout
Laguna. Deciduous trees, like the Japanese maple and weeping willow,
are beginning to leaf out under mainly clear, afternoon skies, and my
mom’s Iceberg roses have already begun to display bountiful blooms.
The advantages of planting in March are obvious: longer days and
warmer sunlight. Once in the ground, plants have a full season’s
growth before they enter their first winter after transplanting. But
sometimes, due to other imperative spring work (like taxes, remodels,
and Design Review Board hearings), it is simply impossible to
complete all of your garden plans. Relax, this is Laguna and we can
plant the year around!
For Barbara, the planting of tomatoes and herbs needn’t be
hurried, the skies could become cloudy and chilly nights may still be
lurking. After all, the days still belong to mid-March. If you plant
too early, your plants may be lost to the cold. Be a little patient,
and your crops will arrive just a little later. Of course, there is
always the rush to see who has the first homegrown tomato.
The camellias were particularly lovely this winter, but are now
past their peak flowering period. Old camellia flowers should be
raked up and destroyed to prevent flower blight next season. Once all
of the blooms are spent, fertilize plants with a complete fertilizer
for acid loving plants. Finally, mulch the shade beds with azalea
mix, peat moss or leaf mold.
About the only problems a gardener may face are fungus gnats in
the lawn (let the grass dry out a little); aphids on roses (wash them
off); or snails crawling up windows (saute with lots of garlic). If
you still have berries and bare root roses in plastic bags, they must
be planted (NOW) before it is too late. This also applies to Maui
onions, artichokes and the remaining spring bulbs sitting in the
garage. Check with your local nursery if you have forgotten what you
were supposed to do with them.
Almost lost in the flurry of spring horticulture is the flood of
activity by our feathered friends. Nests have appeared everywhere in
our back garden, and the insistent chirping and cheeping seems to
indicate that a new generation of hummingbirds, doves and
mockingbirds are on their way. Catharine’s upcoming spring flowers
and well-supplied bird feeders will provide a delectable and ample
supply of food for them all.
See you next time.
* STEVE KAWARATANI is the owner of Landscapes by Laguna Nursery,
1540 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. He is married to local artist,
Catharine Cooper, and has three cats. He can be reached at 497 2438,
or e-mail to plantm@lagunanursery.com.
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