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| Dear Barbara,
Well
first of all hi! And second, I am going to do my best to remind you all
of some good news. I think that no matter where you live, most of you
can attest to a colder than usual winter and for many of you including
us here in Michigan, way more snow. Did you know that snow is a natural
plant insulator? Now that's a bit of good news right there. But here's
the even better news: I can tell that spring is almost here!!
I
know I can hear you all. "Duh! Barb." But don't diminish my
proclamation and dampen my enthusiasm just because you think I have
only stated the obvious. Yea, we all know it turns spring in March but
is it just me or has anyone else noticed that the air takes on an
earthy scent when spring starts its thing. I swear
I smelled it in the air yesterday; so much that I got all excited and
blurted out "I smell spring." Only my dog heard me but he will confirm
it if you ask him. He's very loyal and always has my back. He thinks
what I blurt out is great no matter what. But isn't it one reason why
we have dogs in the first place? Or is that just me again?
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Save Our Pollinators
Habitat
loss, pesticide use and disease have taken a big toll on the creatures
that pollinate our flowers and edible crops. Some of my clients have
requested that we include pollinator friendly plants in our work. Great
idea!
We would love to assist you in this worthy cause. You can request our help by calling us at
734 482-8230.
You
can also visit www.pollinator.org and download a free "Pollinator
Friendly Planting Guide". It's as easy as typing in your zip code.
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Vegetable Gardening
 As
promised in the last newsletter....tips on vegetable gardening for
anyone who wants to try their hand at growing something to eat.
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When is it time to plant cool weather veggies like peas, spinach and lettuce?
Even
when we have frosty nights the seeds of cold season crops like peas,
lettuce and spinach will still survive. It's how well the soil drains
that is important. Cold, damp, clay-like soil may not be able to be
planted until later. Cool crops can go in long before the last frost
date as they withstand the frost unlike the peppers, tomatoes, squash
and melons. Here in zone 5, I plant these crops as soon as the soil can
be worked without compressing it which is usually about early April in
my garden.
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Good bye til next time. Thank you for taking a minute once again to view the Gardening Graces Newsletter.
Please
always feel free to call me with any horticulture and design
questions. Don't forget, your landscape adds value in so many ways and
I am always here to help not only maintain but enhance that worth.
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