John Stouffer is an ISA Certified Arborist who lives in Collingwood. He and his wife Katie own and Operate Collingwood Tree Specialists. Find them on the web at CollingwoodTreeSpecialists.ca
TIPS FOR YOUR EXTERIOR SPRING CLEANING!
Have you felt it yet? Has the sun warmed your face? Have you heard the birds chirping? Smelled the spring breeze? Although we love winter and all it brings in South Georgian Bay, I always look forward to the growth and activity that spring brings. In my house a big part of that activity is centred around our lawn and garden. Once that layer of snow recedes (and in some cases even before), I am reminded of the pruning, raking, mulching, and planting that must be done at the right times to make sure my yard looks its best. I’m going to share with you some strategies to get the most out of your time in the garden this spring. So get out your organizer and let’s get planning!
As I write this, I am looking out my window at a fresh blanket of snow. But I know that even now (mid-March for me), there is work to be done. Early spring is a great time to prune many types of trees. In the next couple of weeks I will be trimming my apple and pear trees to maximize fruit this year. Roses, some hydrangeas, boxwood, and many other woody plants love to be pruned at this time of year, before they have put the energy into making leaves (Be careful though, because some plants—lilacs, for example—flower on last year’s growth, so if you prune them in early spring, you’ll be cutting off this year’s blooms). If you are the vegetable gardening type, right now is also a great time to start your early seeds indoors. Take a look at those seed packets! As you’re out doing this early season work, take a look up and assess if your trees need any care. Now is the best time to see if there are structural issues in the canopy, such as cracks, diseased wood, or broken branches, and it’s also a great time to call an arborist, since they are happy to take new bookings at this time of year.
Once the snow melts, the first thing many of us do is break out our rakes and yard waste bags. Of course, there will always be some yard waste that goes to the curb, but did you know that those old leaves you didn’t get to last year make excellent lawn fertilizer? It’s true—leaves are full of nutrients that benefit your lawn. So put the big paper bag aside and grab your lawnmower. Mulch those leaves up, then rake them into your lawn. It’ll thank you!
If you plan on planting woody plants this year, spring is the right time to do it. All the conditions are right, from the well moistened soil to the fact that in early spring, the plant you’re installing is dormant. So time your trip to the nursery well! Once the ground has thawed enough to work with a shovel, you’ve entered prime time to plant.
Something else to consider is mulch. Many of us mulch our gardens, but you may not know that of all the plants in your yard, your tree might like mulch the most. Most of our trees are surrounded with grass, which actually steals away some of the nutrients that could benefit the tree. The absolute best thing you can do for your tree this spring is to carefully dig up the grass around it, in a circle that mirrors the width of the canopy, and add a few inches of wood mulch. Something to keep in mind when digging: Your tree should not have the same diameter where it meets the ground as it does a little higher up, like an electrical pole. Instead, it should swell out, and often the tips of the roots should be visible. So, dig down to where the trunk swells and meets the roots, and then apply a few inches of mulch, tapering it down to a thin layer near the trunk. This mulch layer will help the tree in many ways.
We’re all about to kick off our busy springs. I hope you’ve benefited from these little tips and tricks, and will be able to use them on your way to a vibrant lawn and garden!
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