Hello Everybody,

Daylight Saving Time means time to get out the tools and head out to the garden! More daylight hours and warmer temperatures means lots of time for the garden with Spring cleanup being a first priority. Let's get started on the following maintenance chores.

Shrubs and trees: Prune, feed and spray with dormant oil (this organic product kills overwintering insect eggs).

Roses: Last chance to cut back 24-30 inches from the ground, thin out weak canes then lime (one cup) and feed (Rose Tone) around each plant. there is an "alert" forthcoming on care of roses-a new species of thrip have shown up on ALL roses and many garden centers WILL NOT be selling roses this spring!!! you may want to contact va.ext. service for more information. for existing roses, spray on a regular schedule with a miticide.

Vegetable gardens:

New: Till and incorporate 1) one cubic foot peat moss 2) five pounds lime 3) five pounds all purpose fertilizer (i.e. 5-10-5) 4) hundred pounds compost (i.e. composted cow manure)

Old: Till and incorporate
1) five pounds lime
2) five pounds fertilizer
3) hundred pounds compost

Now plant cool weather crops such as potatoes, brocolli, beets, radishes and others.

Lawns:
Cool grasses (fescue): Fertilize and apply crabgrass control. Spray liquid weed killer on all active weeds.

Hot grasses (Bermuda and others) Apply crabgrass control. Spray liquid weed killer on all active weeds.

Not that all these chores are done, let's get ready to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials.

Have a great Spring and watch for upcoming gardening updates in the weeks to follow.

Happy Gardening,
Dabney

P.S. Pansies, annual snapdragons, annual dianthus and primroses will
take cooler weather (but NO FROST) and give great color now.