March 2001In the Ornamental Garden Control iris borer by cleaning up and destroying the old foliage before new growth appears. Divide summer and fall blooming perennials in the spring. Cut ornamental grasses back to the ground. Remove mulch from roses and perennial flowers if they begin to sprout. Keep the mulch near for a quick cover up if there is a cold snap. Rake your lawn to remove debris. Dig trees & shrubs before buds break for transplanting. Propagate houseplants. Fertilize trees and shrubs before new growth appears. Rejuvenate red and yellow stem dogwoods, spireas and privet hedges. Cut them back to the ground. This cutting will stimulate new growth. Plant trees & shrubs. Prune large-flowered and late-flowering clematis now. Prune early-flowering clematis as soon as possible after bloom. Avoid mixing daffodils with tulips in your flower arrangements. Daffodils produce a chemical "slime" that injures tulip blooms. Swarming, winged insects may be termites or ants. Ants have an elbowed antenna and a pinched in waist. Termites have a broad waist and the antenna are not elbowed. Factsheet available. Prune yews (Taxus) in late March. Cut back to green shoots. Taxus can be cut back as much as 50% and still make a strong recovery. Watch for Asian Long-horned Beetleadults in boxelder; Norway, red, silver, sugar maples; horsechestnut and American elm. Adults are 3/4" to 1 1/4" long with jet black body and mottled white spots on the back. Antennae are 1.5 to 2.5 times the body length with black and white bands on each segment. In the Edible Garden Start cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage and Brussels sprouts indoors for transplants. Late in month start seeds for tomato, pepper and eggplant. Till vegetable garden when soil permits. Squeeze a handful of soil. It should crumble apart easily. Do not work soil when it is wet. Add organic matter to the soil. Buy onion sets for a late March planting. |
