Spring 2010

Spring has sprung and the garden is bursting with life. Herbaceous perennials are popping back up through the ground, deciduous trees and shrubs are budding out, and lawns are greening up.

Unfortunately, our seasonal annual weeds are enjoying a growth spurt along with our desirable vegetation. There are several preventative actions to take to break the weed cycle. First, the application of shredded hardwood mulch prevents weed seeds from making contact with the soil, so they cannot germinate. Second, the pulling and appropriate disposal of weeds before they have a chance to seed out greatly reduces the number of weeds that will return the next year. Third, the proper maintenance of your desired vegetation will increase its ability to out-compete certain weeds. Forth, the application of feed grade corn gluten to the lawn and beds in very early Spring forms a carbon coating on seeds preventing them from germinating. Corn gluten does not discriminate though, so it’s best not used in areas where the seeding out of herbaceous perennials is desired. Weeding may not be the most exciting thing in the world, but it is an essential component to the maintenance of a healthy and vibrant garden.

On the bright side, once the initial surge of seasonal annual weeds has been addressed, Spring is one of the most beautiful times in the garden. Some of our favorite Spring performers are: Redbud (gorgeous bright pink flowers on bare branches), Anacacho Orchid Tree (delicate foliage and white Spring blooms), Datura (huge trumpet shaped spiraling flowers), Columbine (bright yellow comets floating above a field of green), Cedar Sage (great pop of red in early Spring), Perennial Verbena (color color color), Roses (low maintenance, disease resistant, drought tolerant varieties), and Silver Ponyfoot (think lush silver carpet).

Of course one of the pitfalls of having all of these amazing plants to choose from is the tendency for folks to get carried away purchasing one of these and one of those and plopping them in landscape with no established design plan. Having a well designed plan is critical to the success of a garden. One must consider the architecture of the home or business, the personalities of the people who will be using the space, the physical conditions of different areas of the garden (light, grade, soil depth, wind), and how spaces will be used.

So before you start planting, get pulling – those weeds that is. And consider the importance of developing a design that will work for you, add value to your property, and create outdoor living spaces that will allow you and yours to fully enjoy this wonderful Spring.