I have finished my hibernation! It amazes me that when we finally get to see the sun in the morning after weeks of cloudy weather, we realize that our daylight hours have increased dramatically. That mean it’s time for gardeners to get to work ... that means me, and I’m loving it!
If you have houseplants that need repotting, the next 8 weeks is the best time to get that accomplished. I know that potting soil seems relatively expensive, but the cost of buying good soil far outweighs the problems that come with the bargain brands, so do it right the first time.
If you have a hibiscus, now is the time to cut back the plant itself, and do root pruning at the same time. Root pruning involves removing the soil mass from the pot and cutting off 1/3 of the bottom and the sides of the root ball. Then repot it into the same pot. Water it a little more sparingly than you did before until the new growth develops, then resume a regular water and feeding schedule. Set the pot in full sun or the brightest area you have. Getting this project finished now will yield a beautiful fresh plant for your patio in May.
And yes … we can get going on the pruning chores. Remember to cut your ornamental grasses back close to the ground as early as possible. I did mine this weekend and I noticed all the beautiful fresh green already beginning to show. I am working on my fruit trees as well. Pruning trees and large shrubs before the leaves develop gives you a clearer picture of what has to be removed and how removing those branches will affect the shape of the plant. The exception for trees is birch and maple. The tees will “bleed” from the wounds made by pruning. This certainly will not harm the tree, but the sap can stain the bark where it runs. Waiting until the leaf buds begin to open will alleviate this situation.
For spring-blooming large shrubs like lilac, forsythia, weigela, bridal wreath spirea, snowball viburnum, mock orange, and azaleas or rhododendrons, wait to prune until they have finished blooming, but then get it done right away, not six weeks later.