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Pruning tips for springBy Tara McKnight Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent, horticulture, Wichita County Texas With the first day of spring being just around the corner on March 20, many people have questions about when they should prune their shrubs that bloom in the spring. Here is a little information on how to time when you should prune. If a shrub is grown for its flowers, time the pruning to minimize disruption of blooming. Spring-flowering shrubs bloom on last season's growth and should be pruned soon after they bloom. This allows for vigorous summertime growth and results in plenty of flower buds the following year. Some examples of shrubs that bloom on last seasons's growth are: --Cercis canadensis--Redbud; --Chaenomeles japonica--Japanese Quince; --Chionanthus virginicus--Fringe Tree; --Forsythia spp.--all Forsythia species; --Lonicera spp.--Honeysuckle; --Rapheolepis indica--Indian Hawthorn; --Rhododendron spp.--Azaleas & Rhododendrons; --Rosa spp.--Rambling Rose species; --Spiraea spp.--early white Spirea species; --Viburnum spp.--Viburnum species; Some shrubs that bloom after June usually do so from buds which are formed on shoots that grow the same spring. These shrubs should be pruned in late winter to promote vigorous shoot growth in spring. Examples of shrubs that bloom on current season's growth include: --Abelia X. grandiflora--glossy Abelia; --Buddleia davidii or B. globosa--Butterfly Bush; --Hibiscus syriacus--Shrub Althea; --Hydrangea arborescens--Hills of Snow; --Hypericum spp.--Saint-Johns-wort; --Lagerstroemia indica--Crape Myrtle; --Rosa spp.--Bush Rose; --Vitex agnus-castus--Chaste Tree; It looks like the weather is finally starting to warm up and it feels like spring already. Many people want to get outside and start gardening. Even though the garden centers and nurseries all have plants ready right now, we still need to be careful. We still have a chance to a freeze. Our average last freeze day is at the end of March, meaning it can even freeze in April. Try not to plant plants outside that are extremely tender to cold temperatures. If it looks like we may freeze at night and you have already planted these plants outside, protect them. Make sure that they are covered with 3-inches of mulch to protect their roots. You can even cover them up with a sheet or light blanket. This will, many times, be enough to keep them from having serious damage. If your plants do have light freeze damage to the leaves, they will out grow this as time goes on. Give them proper care and they should do well for you. This weekend would be a great time to plant some vegetables for your garden. Vegetables that can be planted right now are: lettuce crops, mustard. Crops that can be planted from March 20 to May 1 are: beans, corn, cucumbers. Tomatoes can be planted from March 25 to April 15. Crops that can be planted from March 25 to May 1 are: squash and watermelon. In April you can plant Pumpkin, peppers, peas, cantaloupe, eggplant, okra and potatoes. (These dates are averages for a normal year. Depending upon weather, some plants can be planted earlier if we have warm weather or later if we have cold weather.) Your garden and landscape questions are always welcome. You may either contact me at our County Extension office, 940-716-8610, or by e-mail, tcmcknight@ag.tamu.edu. You are always encouraged to visit the Wichita County Master Gardner website at www.overthegardengate.org. Another great website to visit for very useful garden hints and answers is http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/. This article, along with every article, will also be featured on www.joetomwhite.com 24 hours a day under county agents. 3/24/08 Advertisement
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