(Don't) Let It Snow

Last weekend our local nursery had an open house with coupons for getting ready for spring. I utilized one of the coupons to buy a bag of pre-emergence for weed control (of our rampant crabgrass).  Sadly, though, pre-emergence is supposed to be spread on your lawn when the forsythias are just budded.  Well, our neighborhood's forsythia seems to be blooming while we have quite a few inches of snow left on the ground.  I was hoping for a warm week with sunny days to melt the remaining snow, but it's still very wintry.  I've begun to believe that we will be swimming in the local lake before I see green grass again, but maybe the snow will keep the ground nice and moist for spring planting.

Sometimes winter in Maine feels like it lasts half a year.  Snow can start in October and in March you are just so sick of looking at it, you feel like taking a hair dryer to your garden to melt it all away, but that would take too long.  My crocuses came up before the last snow storm, and thankfully reappeared.  I have daffodils about 2 inches high, too, but fear for the other spring bulbs that are buried in the deeper piles of snow in the back yard.  But, I really shouldn't worry, nature is pretty good about adjusting to current weather conditions and rarely do perennials, bulbs, trees and shrubs have lasting trauma from an unusually long winter.

This winter has also been especially long because our fence let go in several places.  Considering it's not more than 11 years old, I am disappointed that the rot set in so fast (of course, it could be because the snow was especially wet and heavy this year).  So before we get to "playing" in the yard this spring, we'll be making a list of projects that are most needed (this includes fortifying both sides fences before they fall on some poor unsuspecting shrub, tree, or stray cat).  I have also noticed, despite my diligence, that we do have some split branches on the taller shrubs.  I'll be doing some trimming as soon as possible to give the plant time to recover and fill in by the end of summer.

Last year I threw down some expired marigold seeds
I found for a dime at the local discount store.
Very forgiving, I spent no time or attention on them
and they bloomed all summer into the fall.

If you are planning for annuals or vegetables this year, you may be tempted to buy seed packets that seem to be for sale at home improvements stores year round.  If you do intend to purchase seeds, check the package for an expiration date or recommended season date before you buy.  Some places will sell old seeds at a discount, price is good, but can be unreliable (unless you are just experimenting, than go for it).  I usually only buy seeds for annuals that are foolproof and large enough for my chubby fingers to plant easily directly into the ground.  Morning glories, marigolds, cosmos, sweet peas, etc, all are good seeds for gardeners like me that have no space to start the seedlings indoors.

The seed packet should tell you the best time to plant the seed outdoors (if you start them indoors, first, remember to divide seedlings prior to planting and "harden" them off for the outdoors).  Some seeds should be planted before the last frost, some when the ground is just warm enough to be worked, etc.  If you wait too long, you won't have time for the plant to mature before the first frost hits in fall.  It's a good idea to follow the instructions.

In Maine, gardeners usually heed the Memorial Day weekend rule of thumb.  That is, annuals and vegetables, when purchased as small plants, can go safety into the ground on or about Memorial Day weekend without danger of nighttime frost killing the plant.  Obviously, if the winter was mild that day can be moved to earlier in May, but it is not necessary to move it past Memorial Day.  I will buy my vegetables from local farmers and plant just about this time.  Because I am a low maintenance gardener, I stick with only those that I have had good luck in the past.  Traditionally, we plant cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.  I may also throw in some leeks, radishes, peas, or peppers based upon what looks good at the time, but have not the same consistent success.

For fun we have also tried the strips of seed paper.  That is, when seeds are set in paper or other form that also includes some type of fertilizer built it so all you should have to do is water and wait.  These can be interesting as you don't really know what to expect (I've gotten them as promotions on the sides of Triscuit boxes and in charity mailings) but not usually a good substitute for an actual plant.