MARCH TIPS

• TO CONTROL WEEDS THIS SUMMER APPLY PRE-EMERGENT HERBICIDES THRU MARCH TO PREVENT ANNUAL WEED SEEDS FROM GERMINATING. PRE-EMERGENTS DON’T HARM ANYTHING ALL READY GROWING, BUT WILL PREVENT WEED SEEDS FROM GERMINATING.
  
  
• Start transplants indoors of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant.
  
  
• Prune roses when they have 3 pairs of leaves at each bud.
  
  
• Check your tools and get your mower serviced and blades sharpened!
  
  
• After cleaning up flower beds apply a slow-release organic fertilizer for healthier plants this season.
  
  
• As the soil thaws, be sure to water dry areas, especially evergreens.
  
  
• Early spring is the best time for renovation & clean-up in the yard & garden. Broken & rubbing branches as well as sucker growth are easily spotted & removed at this time. Thinning overgrown shrubs by removing the oldest branches to encourage new growth is also easier before new foliage emerges.
  
  
• As new growth begins in the perennial & shrub borders, clean-up of last year’s stems is easily done. Application of Sustane fertilizer 5#/100 sq.ft. & Preen is done now (Forsythia will be in bloom) & again in late July.
  
  
• Shrubby type perennials (sub-shrubs), such as Butterfly Bushes, Blue Mist Spirea, Russian Sage & Beautyberry should be cut down now to 6-8” as these plants bloom on new wood. Ornamental grasses also need to be cut down to 6”. To make cutting grasses easier, tie a rope tight near the base of the plant & cut below it.
  
  
• Roses, Lavender & Clematis are plants that should not be pruned until new growth begins, generally in late April or May. Roses need to have dead & diseased branches removed as well as crossing stems to open up center for good air circulation. Cut lavender back to 4-6”. Summer & fall blooming clematis that bloom on new wood need to be cut down to 12”. Spring blooming varieties are best thinned & removal of dead or broken branches done.
  
  
• Spade edge borders need to be cut in spring & again mid-summer to keep grasses from encroaching into beds. Even brick borders will look sharper if edged at least once every year.
  
  
• Be sure wood mulches are top dressed early, before plants are up & in the way. Mulch should be 2-3” deep, but tapered down at trunks of trees & shrubs.
  
  
• Fall-blooming perennials as well as hostas & daylilies can be dug & divided in half or thirds (depending on size) as soon as they are up 6” to be replanted for blooms later in the season.
  
  
• Do your annual Spring Pond Clean-Out while temperatures are low. This causes less stress on the fish and gives you a chance to control algae and aquatic weeds early.

Spring Pond Tips - Click here for article
Rejuvenate Your Pond/Spring Cleaning - Click here for article

Please view our calendar to browse upcoming "Green College" dates and times.  Rail City Garden Center hosts numerous classes and events throughout the year, to help better your understanding in your garden oasis.  Please call us for any further questions or details. view

Below is a small list of upcoming events and you may also click here for a printable PDF file of the classes.

DATE: Saturday 3/13/10

TIME: 11:00 AM

TOPIC: “ROSES FOR DUMMIES”. Learn the basics to growing roses from a leading grower. Review new varieties and how to
select. Proper pruning will also be covered.

SPEAKER: STUART MILLER –WEEKS ROSES

LOCATION: Rail City Garden Center

REGISTRATION: Free. RSVP. Please call 775-355-1551to register. Seating is limited

**All attendees will receive a 15% discount on roses and supplies purchased on day of class

DATE: Saturday 3/20/10

TIME: 11:00 AM

TOPIC: “WHAT TO PLANT IN NEVADA” LEARN from the author of “Nevada Planting Guide” how, what, when and where to
be successful in your landscape.

SPEAKER: DICK POST, AUTHOR AND LOCAL GARDENING EXPERT.

LOCATION: Rail City Garden Center

REGISTRATION: Free. RSVP. Please call 775-355-1551to register. Seating is limited

**All attendees will receive a 15% discount on plant material purchased on day of class