The seeds of spring have arrived

The month of March has finally arrived and soon spring will be knocking on our doors. It is one of the most exciting times of the year as from this point through Memorial Day, things change drastically in the yard. If you go on vacation in April or May, you may miss some of the many plants that only bloom during this time of year!

As I look out the window, I see the snow beginning to melt, even on days that don’t even get near freezing. The sun angle is changing and the rays are becoming more and more intense with each passing day. Even on days of 20 degrees, the snow will begin to melt. Within weeks, the grass will reappear from beneath the white blanket and shortly after we will be initiated into spring with the first sprouts of spring bulbs.

This is also the time of year to get out your seeds and planting medium to begin those plants that need an extra kick-start before planting time is here. Items such as peppers, tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts are just a few of the items that enjoy an early start. You may want to try some new perennials or annuals also.

Get kids involved into the gardening world by allowing them to plant a few simple plants of their own such as marigolds or beans. Not only is it fun to do, but it will keep them fascinated for weeks and may even get them interested in assisting outside when the garden has been planted. There is never a wrong time to be introduced into gardening.

Look through the numerous catalogs in the mail or check out some sites online to see what is new for 2013. All categories that include annuals, perennials, tress, and shrubs have new introductions each and every year. Sometimes those items are boring and sometimes they are amazing! Of course the ones that really stand out are the ones I like to seek out and place into the yard.

Check out the new petunia this year called “Glamouflage Grape.” It has variegated foliage with beautiful grape-colors flowers. A real stand out! There is also the hot springs lobelia that has been designed to handle the hot summer sun over the current varieties, which seem to fade in the heat. frosty knight sweet alyssum is a nice new variety that has variegated foliage with yellow edges and pure white flower clusters. Not only great for a color accent, but also wonderful with its heavy sweet smells in the humid air of summer. Superbells lemom slice calibrachoa have a true yellow flower with white stripes to make an area explode with its brightness.

Some of the new perennials available this year are “Pardon my Purple” monarda, which has wonderful fuschia-purple blooms on plants that only reach about 10-12 inches in height. Unlike most, this is small and compact and resistant to mildew problems. It is also great for small spaces. Colorburst orange coneflower is a sweet perennial for the garden with is intense orange color of large petals on the outer portion and its doubled centers. If you are a lover of clematis, you might want to seek out the chantilly, which reaches only 4 feet in height and has beautiful light pink flowers with deep pink veins.

Some of these plants may be easy to find and others may not due to the demand in the market place. If you find the ones you are seeking, pick them up right away to make sure you get the best selection of plant materials.

This is also the perfect time to sit in on seminars and lectures throughout the area to hear some different ideas for the season. The Home and Garden show is in town this weekend and is the perfect place to see some new items and ideas for the coming year. Since it is a free event you have nothing to lose, in fact, you may just come away from it with a new project.

Get a bag of potting mix opened and get your trays ready for planting. It is the act of planting new seeds that really gets spring into full swing. Watching them grow and nurturing them into adulthood can be such a rewarding experience for any age involved. Get into the full swing now and before you know it, May will arrive just in time for you to begin your outdoor planting with your new plants. There is a certain pride that comes along with growing your own plants, but don’t over do it as it can become an addiction.

You may wonder what my new item is for this year? Well, not to ruin any surprises, but a couple of them are tropical hibiscus plants that are suppose to have flowers that can reach 8 inches across and bloom in a deep plum color with white spots. Another blooms in hues of a brilliant sunset, so spring has already arrived for me!

Have a great weekend and try to take in the Home and Garden show today or Sunday.

Also, don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour. The days will remain light later now, so it won’t be long before you catch me working in the garden till midnight — with the yard lights on of course!

Tags: life, garden