Lifestyles: Spring planting time is here

Spring is here which means it’s time to break out the tools and get ready for planting and gardening.

After the short cold season that was felt locally in North Carolina, the trees are sprouting new foliage and daffodils are in full bloom.

March is the time to check off some of your gardening tasks.

The NC State Agricultural Extension office has provided some choices for you to consider if you want to maximize growth and beauty in your yards for future enjoyment.

Now is the time to:

• Fertilize shrubs.

• Fertilize your important shade trees.

• Plant your small fruit plants, grape vines and fruit trees before the buds break.

• Plant new shrubs and ground covers.

• transplant trees and shrubs.

• Plants of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower should be set out in the garden in mid-March.

The following vegetables can be planted this month: beets, carrots, Chinese cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, Swiss chard, turnips, potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.

• Prune fruit trees.

• Prune spring flowering plants like breath-of-Spring (Winter Honeysuckle) and flowering quince after the flowers fade.

• Prune roses late in March.

• Prune shrubs like abelia, mahonia and nandina this month if needed.

• Cool-season lawns may be fertilized with 10-10-10, but NOT with slow-release fertilizer.

• Apply crabgrass herbicides to your lawn late this month to help control crabgrass in the turf.

• Continue to divide perennials like daylily, shasta daisy, gaillardia and coreopsis this month.

Spring planting gets your garden ready for a bountiful next few months.

Happy planting Davidson County.

{Photos: Stock}