Soil Amendment and Water Needs
Spring is the time for dormant plants to grow new shoots and flowers. Citrus trees are blooming and filling the air with their fragrance. Vegetables, herbs, and spices are thriving. Flowering plants will need extra water, compost, fertilizer, or manure. We hold off on feeding plants that haven’t bloomed yet, as too much nitrogen can promote leafy growth over flowers. For fig trees, we wait until the small fruits develop before adding nutrients. Mulch the plants to reduce water needs in spring and summer, and apply the mulch after adding compost and watering.
Pest Prevention and Control
The new shoots may attract pests like aphids and white flies, so inspecting the plants and controlling infestations regularly is essential. Start a prevention spray regimen for new mango leaves before any fungus appears, and apply blight prevention for pear, apricot, and apple trees. Strengthen fruit fly prevention for stone fruits and pomegranates from flowering to fruit harvest, and monitor fruit fly traps to gauge threat management.
Weed Management and Plant Propagation
Weeds are growing quickly, so it’s vital to weed aggressively before they flower and seed to minimize the weed problem when the rains start. It’s also warm enough to begin transplanting seedlings and rooted cuttings, and we’re finishing up collecting cuttings from dormant trees. Towards the end of the month, we’ll concentrate more on grafting than rooting cuttings to propagate plants and plating herb seeds. The spring garden is coming to life as the busy gardening seasoning ends. We hope to have a broader range of products available in summer.
#LoveHomeGrown.
