This seems to be the week that we will finally shake off Old Man Winter, but just the same, I know what you all have been thinking: “Will spring ever come?”
It’s a fair question, however, I can assure you that spring has already sprung and we are well on our way to summer. Though, that probably doesn’t make you feel any better. Beyond a doubt, this has been the worst spring weather I can remember since moving to the Northwest 30 years ago. But don’t despair, it’s not as bad as it seems.
Remember the saying, “April showers bring May flowers”? Well, we have had a lot of them this month. I don’t think I have ever seen the pink dogwoods look as glorious as they do right now.
And judging from the progress I am seeing in my own garden, Mother Nature is doing just fine. My trees, shrubs and perennials are wonderfully in full bloom, mostly right on schedule or at the most only a week or two late.
All this rain doesn’t seem to slow down the garden nearly as much as it slows down the gardener — and therein lies the chief source of our frustration.
In years past we have usually had a week or two in February to get out and do some work in the garden. Not this year! In March we could usually catch up on what we didn’t get done in February. Not this year! For sure, April was the month to finally get a handle on all the chores we couldn’t do in February or March. Not this year!
So it’s understandable that we are all totally frustrated and feeling completely behind the eight ball, but it is not cause for panic.
If you have not pruned the roses yet, no problem. While they probably have visible buds set, just plan on cutting them back more aggressively after the first flush of color is finished. Be sure and feed them after pruning.
Haven’t finished pruning the fruit trees? Again, no problem. I often wait until mine have finished blooming before I prune them, figuring that the more flowers I leave on during the blooming cycle the better my odds are of getting them pollinated.
Speaking of fruit trees, I suspect many of us didn’t get a dormant spray on either. Again, not to worry. Similar sprays can be applied when new growth emerges and are often just as effective. Remember not to apply any kind of insecticide, natural or synthetic, when a plant is in full bloom or you will kill the bees.
Haven’t planted the veggie garden yet? No problem. Cool season crops like lettuce, onions and broccoli will do just fine if planted in May. You can also tuck in some warm season ones, too, like beans, tomatoes and peppers.
Still haven’t weeded the garden? Unfortunately, this is probably a problem because those weeds have most likely gone to seed. The good news is that they won’t germinate again until next fall, so you have time to work the soil and cover it with a nice, pretty, one-inch layer of compost, which will smother most of the seeds and prevent them from coming back.
Finally, remember that in the Northwest we can plant year-round unless the soil is saturated or frozen, so there is plenty of time to plop in a few new perennials, perhaps a new dwarf shrub or some berry plants, and get them established before winter.
Stay optimistic like most gardeners. The sun will shine again.
Steve Smith is owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville and can be reached online at info@sunny sidenursery.net.
Container garden class
Attend a free class on how to build container gardens at 10 a.m. May 20 at Sunnyside Nursery, 3915 Sunnyside Blvd., Marysville. Also: Free Container Planting Day at the garden center runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information or to sign up, visit www.sunnysidenursery.net.
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