It's that time of year to start thinking about your garden

At the request of some readers, this week's article focuses on "green" gardening tips. I know; given our record setting cold weather and unusually high snowfall in the NE (and much of the US), it's hard to think of gardening. Fear not my friends, spring is right around the corner. This afternoon I noticed our pussy willow shrub is starting to sprout; a sure-sign of spring.


Getting Started

To achieve a healthy lawn that embraces sustainability concepts you'll need to Observe, Conserve and Preserve. Start by looking at your garden. Walk around (when the snow has melted!) and observe what you see.  Take note of the grass, weeds, soil, mulch and plantings. Observing your surroundings is a great first step in prepping for spring lawn care.

After you have a good feel for your property, think about your beautification objectives and then factor in conservation and preservation techniques. Starting with the soil, respect the planet by only using organic products as much as possible.  If chemicals are required (we'll drill down on this next week) treat a specific problem in a specific area. Per Native Plant Society of NJ, "If you must use herbicides, apply them directly to the weeds rather than broadcasting if possible. A healthy lawn will reduce weed growth."

As much as possible, please try to conserve water. Nothing frosts my tail (from a gardening perspective!) as much as seeing sprinkler systems running while it's raining. Don't over water your lawn. A hearty watering, soaking the soil, is only needed 2 times per week to maintain a healthy lawn.  It is also recommended that people use sprinklers during the cooler times-evening or early morning. Evening is better as the water evaporates less. If possible, build, or buy, a water barrel to store rain water or gutter run-off. It's a great form of recycling and contains less chlorine than tap. Flower beds should be watered as needed, but can become more resilient with ample mulching.


And speaking of mulch, use mulch on flower beds and gardens to prevent weeds from growing and to help absorb water. Mulch protects plants from extreme conditions-too much sun and too much water. It also helps deliver nutrients to the soil, so look for organic mulch that will decompose into the soil and preferably use non-dyed mulch.

My last tip speaks to honoring our environ. If you plant native shrubs, trees and plants you'll have to use less fertilizer and water. Because native plants are adaptive to the climate and temperature they don't need as much water as non-native plants. Using native plants is beneficial because it helps conserve water and reduces the amount of potential polluted runoff..


Next Steps

This is merely the beginning, as gardening should be viewed as a long-term project. Successful gardening takes patience. You shouldn't rush and take short-cuts. If in doubt, consult with your local nursery or online resources,

Best,

Paula

Coming Up-More details on feeding your lawn and preparing your soil.