More Spring Garden and Landscape Maintenance Tips from Mary Palmer Dargan
Are you itching to get out and do some work in your garden? So are we! We’ve recently been discussing early spring garden and landscape maintenance tips from our resident gardening expert, Mary Palmer Dargan. Here are some more of her tips to give your green thumb some more exercise this week:
I love gardening in a raised bed as it improves drainage. Raised beds improve drainage because they raise the level of soil above the surrounding ground. Other benefits of raised beds include less soil compaction, easier weed control, warmer soil temperature in spring, ease of access, reduced soil erosion and beauty.
These raised beds at the Chicago Botanic Garden are featured in the “Gardening is Therapy” chapter of my book Lifelong Landscape Design.
I’m potting up my dahlias I pulled last winter and am rather appalled at how shriveled up the roots are… You walk a fine line on saving tubers and lots of unnecessary work if they are not viable. I’ll report on this later!
Plant asparagus crowns and radishes and transplant cold-season plants such as broccoli, cabbage and kale indoors. I have way too many baby plants, so I am juicing my leftovers and making microgreen salads. It is most nutritious!
Wait until six weeks before planting time for most vegetables to start them indoors… Otherwise they get very leggy and transplant poorly unless grown with bottom heat like forcing lights. Christmas tree lights are an excellent option for bottom heat! Just remember to be patient throughout the process – Your patience will be rewarded with a thriving garden this summer.
Lawns need fertilization if they are cool-season grasses. I am an organic gardener, so I highly recommend taking a soil sample and finding what your soil actually needs instead of just putting on the gas with fertilizer. You can obtain a soil sample for free from most local cooperative extension offices.
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Also, think twice about enjoying a mixed lawn and turn a blind eye to “weeds.” I think once mown, a green lawn is a green lawn no matter its tapestry makeup! Plus, you’ll save on buying weed killer.
What else are you doing in your garden now that we’re experiencing a few warmer days? Let us know by leaving a comment.
If you’re ready to discuss a master plan or tune up for your landscape, contact Dargan Landscape Architects. We can help you formulate a plan that will bring your dreams to life as we heal the Earth one garden at a time!
