A decade on the pages

STEVE KAWARATANI

“It was 10 years ago today ... .”

--with apologies

to Sergeant Pepper

“Spring is about to spring. I welcome thee!”

--David Assael

“Congratulations!” Catharine said, over a glass of champagne at

Patina. “This week’s column will mark your 10-year anniversary at the

Coastline ... maybe you’ll even make the first page of the second

section one day.”

I will admit, my wife looked great in color.

Spring is about to spring. California poppy and lupine already

grace our verdant hillsides and pastoral lanes ... competing with the

rockrose, bougainvillea and echium, which have never bloomed

brighter. I do acknowledge that the rain has been good for many of

our blooming plants.

With spring a mere three weeks away, your questions for the Plant

Man included ...

Q. Dear Plantman, I haven’t pruned my roses yet. Am I too late?

A. Absolutely not. Prune lightly to shape, and don’t forget to

fertilize and apply a dormant spray.

Q. Hello. My camellia has just finished blooming. Do I need to do

anything with it?

A. Fertilize it with a complete fertilizer, one formulated for

acid-loving plants. Mulch with azalea mix or leaf mold; don’t forget

to rake up old flowers.

Q. Plantman, should I fertilize my garden, even though it has been

raining?

A. Spring is advancing rapidly (at least, that’s what the calendar

tells me). If you don’t fertilize your garden on a regular basis,

this is the most important month to remember to do it. I would

recommend that you try Gro Power Plus or Gro-Rite because they become

immediately available to plants and are easy to apply.

Q. My lawn isn’t looking very green and has a number of holes in

it. Any hints?

A. Your lawn should be fertilized with a product high in nitrogen.

You may decide to select a fertilizer that is combined with a weed

killer. This is a good month to reseed bare spots as well.

Q. Hey you! Is it too late for bulbs?

A. March is the “other” bulb season. There is plenty of time to

start gladiolus, dahlias, the fragrant tuberose, and of course

tuberous begonias. They will all benefit by being mulched to keep the

soil moist.

Q. Plantman, is it finally safe to start my tomatoes and herbs?

A. If you’re missing those home grown tomatoes, I would recommend

that you set out a variety like Early Girl, which does well in Laguna

during March. You can, of course, start herbs by seed in a protected

area. They’ll be ready to plant in your garden by the warmer weather.

Q. What do I do with my old bulbs?

A. Hyacinth, narcissus, or other spring-flowering bulbs that have

flowered may be saved, by allowing the foliage to remain on the

plant. Once the foliage has matured, remove the bulbs and keep them

dry until time for planting in the fall.

Tulips grace our kitchen ... their multiple colors a complement to

our sunny week. Catharine’s snap peas offer a daily, tasty treat and

the lawn is verdant green. My roses are beginning to bloom and the

horizon is clear across the Pacific. You have to love March and the

onset of spring. See you next time.

* STEVE KAWARATANI is happily married to local writer, Catharine

Cooper, and has two cats. He can be reached at 949.497.2438, or

E-mail to landscapes@ln.cox atwork.com