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Planting time has begun!! Spring is here!!
Perennials, Annuals and Vegetables
It feels like spring! Days are warmer and the garden is starting to come alive after its winter rest. We are loaded with lots of early spring primroses and pansies, so come in and treat yourself to some of these knockout colors to liven up borders and containers. If by chance you missed last fall's selection of spring-blooming bulbs, we also have a cheery assortment of crocus, daffodils, tulips, anemone and more, all potted up and in bloom and ready to enjoy (and add into your garden when their bloom is finished).
Beware — slugs are beginning to frolic (do slugs frolic?) in these warmer days, and they love primroses too! Not to mention the tender new growth of those bulbs, lettuces and other plants that have been starting to appear. We recommend using 'Worry Free' granules to stop the damage from these garden pests (not harmful to pets and birds).
And speaking of bulbs (and tubers and corms, oh my) turn your thoughts to summer and early autumn just long enough to come to the nursery and take advantage of our huge selection of summer beauties! We have gladiolas, dahlias, iris, lilies, crocosmia, and many, many more! Plus we've sneaked in some spring favorites like anemones and lily-of-the-valley. We also have an assortment of bare-root perennials, so you can get an early start on your shade garden selecting from a variety of hostas, ferns and bleeding hearts.
Before plants start leafing and filling out into their spring wardrobe, give them their first feeding of the year. Whitney Farms All-Purpose (5-5-5) will work well for most plantings. Give us a call if you have any questions about feeding particular plants or timing.
And while you're at it, it's still a great time to dig up and divide those late-season perennials (move 'em and feed 'em).
Hellebores are still putting on their show of rich and sophisticated colors! To show off these early flowers in your garden, cut most or all the leaves back to the ground (many of them are probably showing damage from winter weather anyway). After bloom, a new flush of foliage will appear. If you don't yet have enough of these most elegant plants (is that even possible?) stop by the nursery and check the selection. But quick! These disappear fast once they're in bloom they're so irresistible!
Start seeds indoors! Nothing gives a gardener's pulse a jump-start like seeing the fresh green of new seedlings emerge. And in our climate of unpredictable summers, it's also a great way to get an edge on those hot-weather loving crops like tomatoes and peppers. Portland Nursery has seeds from nearly a dozen seed companies, so there is something in food and flower for every taste!
Portland Nursery offers lighting supplies for indoor gardening and seed starting by Sun Systems — and their catalog available for easy ordering of those more unusual items not on hand.
If you already have some early plants started from seed that you are ready to put out in the garden, be sure to harden them off in a cold frame, bright corner of an unheated basement or garage, or in a protected corner of the porch for a few days, first. Gradually getting them used to the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is the key.
Have you planted your peas yet? It's still not too late! Some other vegetables can be direct-sown in the garden this month: varieties of broccoli, spinach, kale, radish, potato and onion (sets). Transplants of swiss chard, lettuces and other salad greens can potentially be set out this month as well, but may need to be kept under some kind of cover, cold frame or cloche, depending on temperature. (Book recommendation: Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades, by Steve Solomon).
While you're out in the vegetable garden, top dress the garlic bed with chicken manure, which will be broken down and working into the soil by the time the plants' spring growth begins in earnest, and they'll get an added boost of nitrogen to help them along. Feed with blood meal or cottonseed meal.
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Lawn Care
This is a good time to feed your lawn, right along with the rest of your garden. Though these warmer days may make you want to get out there and do some overseeding to fill in some thin spots in your lawn, wait for the temperature to rise a bit more.
Check for crane fly damage — bare patches and thinning in the lawn — the good news is that a small amount of damage can be overcome, especially with proper feeding of the lawn. It can be more serious if the damage is more extreme. Call or come to the nursery (bring a photo, if you can, for better diagnosis!) if you have any questions or concerns.
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Trees, Shrubs and Fruit
Last call to prune roses!
Been thinking about berry pies, making your own wine, canning pears? Our selection of small fruits and fruit trees is almost at its peak, so now is a good time to get these edibles and put them in the ground! Tempting cane berries, strawberries (start a strawberry jar with the kids), blueberries galore. Grapes are both abundantly beautiful and tasty, if you have a bit more space. This spring, we have an expanded list of wine grapes to offer, too!
This is a great time to plant trees and shrubs, too, and the selection at the nursery is rapidly growing (no pun intended).
Prune camellias when they're done blooming — the sasanquas are probably about ready to be pruned now, the japonicas most likely to be ready by the end of the month.
There is still time to apply another round of dormant oil and spray to fruit trees. Pick up an Organic Dormant Spray Schedule at Portland Nursery's Information Desk for outlined details.
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Indoor Plants
Wash the leaves of indoor plants and check / treat for pests and diseases. If you suspect you have a problem with a plant and are not sure what it is, bring a sample to our Info Desk. We carry a full line of safe products for houseplants and tropicals.
It's time to think about repotting (do yours look like they're wearing too-tight shoes?) Give those cramped plants some space, but not too much — only increase one inch in the diameter of pot size. Use a good-quality potting soil suitable for the plant (Whitney Farms carries an all-purpose potting soil as well as special blends for African Violets, Orchids, Cactus and Bonsai).
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General Tips
A word about mulch: You can lightly top dress new and existing plantings with mulch at this time of year, to help hold in moisture and as a gradual addition to other soil amending. But, too much mulch will slow down the warming of the soil and delay growth. So, if you had applied a thick layer of mulch for winter protection, now is the time to remove it. If you applied a mulch layer of compost, you can instead just work it in to further amend and improve the soil.
Dig in any wintered-over cover crops. The bed will then be ready to plant when you are!
Continue to keep your bird feeders and birdbaths clean and filled.
If you have an uncovered pond full of leaves, use one of these amazingly balmy days to clean it out...think about using mosquito dunks to keep those pests under control.
Consider installing a drip irrigation or soaker hose system — there is some concern over our current shortage of rain and snowfall and what it will mean for the summer's water supply — now is the perfect time to install, while plants or dormant or still small. You can see the layout of your plants more easily, not to mention be able to have an easier time installing the system! Portland Nursery has a full range of supplies to get you started.
So come in for a visit! Spring is happening at portland nursery!
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