Turnip this Saturday for our free Veggie Gardening 101 seminar.
Hello, again!
Groundhog Day has come and gone, and while the forecast from Pennsylvania may be debatable, as usual, this week’s warmer temperatures are a good reminder that spring is quietly on its way. Even though winter isn’t finished, this is an excellent window to start a little early garden prep.
Now is the perfect time for soil testing, one of the most important steps you can take for a successful garden. Knowing your soil’s pH and nutrient levels takes the guesswork out of fertilizing and helps you plan smarter before planting season arrives. I prefer our kit from SoilKit. You simply collect a soil sample, mail it in, and get expert results. SoilKit includes a packet for collecting and tracking your soil, a prepaid mailing envelope, and easy, clear instructions. Your soil will be tested in a leading national agricultural lab. Register your kit online, and you'll receive fast results and recommendations for ways to improve your specific soil.
Fruit trees and ornamental trees can also use attention this time of year. While trees are dormant, it’s an ideal time for pruning and applying dormant oil sprays to help control overwintering insects and disease. My preference is ferti-lome Green Horticultural Oil for both dormant and summer applications. ferti-lome Copper Fungicide can also be used in both the dormant and growing seasons to control powdery mildew, rusts, blackspot, leaf and fruit spot (including peach leaf curl), downy mildew, fruit rot and late blight.
Many fruit trees also benefit from an early feeding to support strong growth once buds begin to swell. I like ferti-lome Fruit, Citrus & Pecan Tree Food. There's no need to dig holes - simply spread this easy, permeating fertilizer around the tree drip line and water in.
If you’re feeling the itch to get started gardening, this is also a great time to browse our seed racks, stock up on soil amendments and fertilizers, or spend a little time in the greenhouse with houseplants and tropicals. You’re also welcome to bring in photos or ideas for a landscape project and visit with one of our nursery professionals - planning now makes the busy spring season go much more smoothly.
Whether the groundhog was right or not, spring is closer than it feels.
Your friend in the garden,
Marty Johnson
Owner - Johnson's Garden Centers
