March saw us go from 67 degrees to freezing rain all within a day. Such is the life of a midwestern spring!
April and May are very busy months — keep working hard, keeping in mind that June is when we can sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labor.
This month you can re-pot your houseplants if necessary — going only one pot size larger — and begin fertilizing as they begin actively growing. They’ll love it outside, but not until mid to late May when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees at night.
If you’ve had trouble with botrytis (fungal disease) on your peonies in previous years, spray the emerging plants with a fungicide now.
You should divide and transplant perennials now if needed and provided soil is not too wet. Exceptions to spring division are bearded iris and peonies. These get divided in August and September respectively. Division not only affords extra plants, it helps keep your perennials healthy.
Uncover and fertilize roses and tender perennials. Also fertilize your spring bulbs as new growth appears.
I learned this one from the local Hosta Society, as your hostas begin to emerge, water them as if filling a water balloon. Don’t create a constant mud situation, but water often and deeply. Do this until the first leaves open and then taper off to one inch per week. Your hostas will be bigger than you’ve ever seen by the time the season’s growth peaks.
Cool season vegetables that have been hardened off can be transplanted in the garden late this month. These include cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.
Hardening off is the gradual exposure of your transplants to the outside elements. On a mild day set your seedlings out for two to three hours of sun — sheltered from strong sun and wind. Increase exposure to sunlight a few hours at a time over a seven to 10 day period and gradually reduce frequency of water, but do not allow seedlings to wilt. After this period of hardening off, your plants are tough enough to be transplanted. Water them at planting and then don’t water again until they’ve dried out somewhat. They may look a little wilted and you’ll be tempted to water, but don’t water unless the soil is dry. Warm season transplants can be hardened off at the very end of this month.
Seeds of cool season root crops can be planted if soil is not too wet. These include beets, radishes, carrots, turnips and peas.
