The planting season is just around the corner but there is still time to
get your garden soil ready. Get started on the right foot by adding the
right soil amendments and fertilizers to your garden. But how do you know what to add? Take the time to collect and submit a soil sample to the University of Minnesota Soil Test Lab for analysis. In just a few short days, you receive soil test results specific to your garden. You will learn the texture of your soil (sandy, loam, or clay), the level of organic matter, soil pH, and phosphorus and potassium levels. Nitrogen levels are not reported because nitrogen is very mobile in the soil and levels can vary even day to day. The fertilizer and soil amendment recommendations will tell you what to add to your garden to help it produce the best flowers and vegetables.
Be sure to follow the directions on the soil test form and fill in all the requested information. Once you establish a baseline for your soil, retest every few years or anytime you experience a lot of problems with your plants. Soil test kits are available at the Bachman’s Horticulture Information Counter or you may contact the University of Minnesota Extension Service Soil
Testing Lab at 612-625-3101. The cost of the soil test is $15.00.
Creeping Phlox
Does your landscape need a splash of early spring color? Try planting
the perennial Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata). This tough perennial is
great for that sunny slope, a rock garden, or for spilling over the retaining wall. It tolerates dry sites once established and prefers a lean soil. The plant grows from 3-6” in height and has a spread of 12” or more. It produces
a solid mass of color from about late April to late May. The foliage is
evergreen and needle-like. Look for trays of creeping phlox in blue, white, rosy pink and lavender. The phlox can be lightly pruned or sheared after blooming to help produce denser foliage. If needed, divide overgrown
plants after blooming.
This type of phlox is hardy to Zone 3 making it a terrific choice for the cabin up north. It has the added benefit of not being bothered by the mildew problems that beset the taller, later blooming
Garden Phlox and is deer-resistant. For additional ideas for the spring perennial garden, see our care sheet ‘Perennials for Spring Interest’.
Hanging Baskets
Now that you have that beautiful hanging basket, how are you going to
keep it looking its best for the season? Here are some tips to help you succeed. Proper watering is the single most important you can do. Check to make sure that the top of the soil feels moist to the touch. Your plant may need water every day, especially on warm and windy days. Water thoroughly and allow extra water to drain. Try to maintain an evenly moist, not soggy, soil. Proper feeding is essential too. Here you have more options.
Feed the plant with a water-soluble fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro Bloom Booster every 7-14 days. An easy, timesaving method of fertilizing is
Osmocote Pot Shots. These pre-measured timed-release fertilizer pellets will feed your hanging baskets all season. Just push the pellet 1-3” into the soil. Four to five pellets are needed for 10” and 12” baskets. Be sure to space them out evenly for best results. Keep the flowers and foliage
looking good by removing faded flowers (deadheading) and faded
leaves. Some plants may need a little pinching back halfway through
the summer to encourage bushy growth. With attentive care,
your hanging basket should last until first frost.
Average Last Frost Date
With a week of near average temperatures predicted, it looks like it might be safe to get our tender annual and veggie planting underway. But keep in mind that the average last frost date for much of our area is May 10-May 15. Freezing weather is still a possibility for much of the month. While many plants can withstand a light frost, some such as impatiens, begonias,
tomatoes, peppers, and basil do not. Hold off planting these warm season plants in the ground until the Memorial Day weekend. By then, the soil will have warmed nicely and your new plants will just take off. Petunias,
snapdragons, and alyssum enjoy the cooler weather and can be planted now. Plant up your container gardens. They can easily be moved in to the garage overnight if cold weather threatens. If cold or frost is predicted, cover your garden beds with a sheet or Reemay Lawn and Garden Blanket. Frost Protek Frost Covers are available for container plants
and hanging baskets.
Mesclun: Plant Your Own Salad
Mesclun is a mixture of young salad greens. Rather than purchasing bags of mixed greens from the grocery store, why not grow your own on the deck or patio? Mesclun seed mixes may include red and green looseleaf lettuces, spinach, arugula, mustard greens, endive, and other assorted greens.
Several different mixes are available from Botanical Interests Seeds.
Select a container about 6” deep and fill with a good quality potting soil. A window box or shallow bowl works great. Keep the soil moist so the greens develop their best flavor. Greens will turn bitter if the soil gets too dry or the weather turns hot.
Fertilize about 3 weeks after planting.
Harvest when plants are about 4-5” tall, usually in about 35-45 days. Or use the ‘cut and come again’ method: cut the plants off at about 1-2”
above the soil line. Plants will regrow and you should get a second harvest. Plant this cool season crop now through early summer and again in
August to early September for a late season crop. What could be
fresher than harvesting your own salad right before dinner?
The Return of Hummingbirds
Look for the return of the first of the
ruby-throated hummingbirds this week.
Put out a nectar feeder to provide a food
source for them until insects appear and
garden flowers bloom. Place several feeders
throughout the yard so the hummingbirds spend more time feeding and less time chasing each other away. Other migratory birds returning soon are the Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Baltimore Oriole. The male grosbeak is black with white wing patches and a white breast with a rosy-red patch.
Orioles are brightly colored orange and black. Grosbeaks are frequent visitors to birdfeeders and enjoy black-oil sunflower seeds. Insects and fruit are also a part of their diet. The orioles visit nectar feeders and will feed on orange halves and grape jelly too. Place a shallow dish of grape jelly out each day for the birds to enjoy. For more information on attracting and feeding these beautiful birds, see our care sheet ‘Attracting Hummingbirds’
and ‘Planting to Attract Birds’.
Flowers and gifts from Bachman’s make any day a special one. When you order your flowers or gifts online, you know you’ll be getting a beautiful fresh floral arrangement from a trusted florist known for outstanding floral design, plus quality and service.
If you’re sending flowers or gifts out of town, you can rely on us to choose the best florist from either the FTD or Teleflora nationwide flower network. Florists who can be counted on to deliver the best fresh floral arrangements and gifts, even when doing a same day delivery.
