Planning:

• Before planting in clay pots, pre-soak them in a wheelbarrow of water for 5 or 10 minutes. If you plant in terra-cotta when it is dry, it wicks moisture from the soil and the new plantings

Planting:

• Best dates for transplanting by the moon cycles:
  May 12 – 23
• Best dates for sowing seeds by the moon cycles:
  May 3 & 4, 13 – 15, 30 & 31
• Set out dahlias after the last frost date
• Plant gladiolus corms beginning early this month
• Finish dividing summer and fall-blooming perennials
• Start planting tender annuals outdoors after the last frost date

 Maintenance:

• Weed your beds thoroughly before they get out of hand
• Make sure all winter mulches are removed by the beginning of the month
• Top off summer mulch in beds where levels have dropped below 2”
• Rake beds that have ample mulch to prevent matting
• Keep watering transplants and new plants frequently
• Fertilize roses if you didn’t feed them earlier
• Stake peonies, delphiniums, and tall phlox early
• Deadhead rhododendron blooms, this will direct the plants energy toward producing flower buds for next year rather than seeds

Planning:

• Make a plot layout of your flower beds so you will remember where your spring bulbs are located
• When purchasing plants remember that plants not yet in bloom will actually bloom sooner, grow faster and be better established

 Planting:

• Best dates for transplanting by the moon cycles:
  Apr 15 – 28
• Best dates for sowing seeds by the moon cycles:
  Apr 5 & 6, 15 – 18, 26

 Maintenance:

• Begin digging new garden beds when the soil is workable
• Prepare the soil for seeds
• Start weeding your beds
• Remove winter mulch when new growth appears
• Replant new shrubs and perennials that have heaved out of the soil
• Finish transplanting any new shrubs before their buds swell
• Tidy the mulch in your shrub beds adding more where necessary
• Transplant and divide summer and fall-blooming perennials
• Add finished compost to your flower beds
• If you have started seedling inside harden them off
• Cut back shrubby herbs

Planning:

• Still time to look through catalogs and place orders
• Order bulbs and plant for spring planting

Planting:

• Best dates for transplanting by the moon cycles:
  Feb 1 – 5, 19 – 28
• Best dates for sowing seeds by the moon cycles:
  Feb 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 20 – 22
• Sow those seeds that will need 10 to 12 weeks indoors before they can be transplanted outside
• Plant your sweet peas mid month
• Perennial plants that bloom in late spring, summer and fall can safely be divided in Feb (see article in February Newsletter)

 Maintenance:

• Thoroughly clean any flats or pots for seedlings
• Set aside a potting area for seed starting and gather the necessary equipment
• Beware of February thaw
• Continue looking for plant damage in the garden
• Get any beds ready that you are planning to sow with hardy annuals