Things To Do in Early Spring:

• Plant the last of the bare-root trees & shrubs.  The ideal time to plant shrubs is after the ground is thawed out.  The soil is moist enough and also warm enough to enable root growth and they should take off quickly.  Follow the instructions on the labels and apply water and fertilizer accordingly.
• Plant shrubs in your containers as needed and desired.
• Plant your herbaceous plants (perennials, bulbs, rhizomes, corms, tubers, grasses, groundcovers and annuals).  These can be planted in the garden at any time.  If you buy them from a mail order company, they will most likely arrive as root-wrapped plants that need planting before too much growth has emerged.  Keep these plants well-watered until they are established.
• Sow your hardy annuals.  These are usually the easiest to care for since they are not demanding.  Planted in a sunny location will almost always give the best results.  Water well when it stays dry for long periods of time until the seedlings have emerged.
• Feed and mulch your beds and borders.
• Plant your summer flowerbulbs.  Gladiolus, for example, should be planted in rows in the cutting garden in 2 week intervals to extend the availability of flowers (blooming in 80-100 days).  In the more formal garden setting, plant them in groups according to instructions.
• Start cutting your lawn ensuring that the cutting height is high.
• Sow your new lawn or lay sod.  To sow a new lawn is very inexpensive compared to sod.  In both cases, however, a thorough soil preparation is a must and should be started several weeks before you start to sow or lay the sod.  If you do not have time in the Spring, wait until Fall to do it and be sure to water well in either case.
• Buy the seeds you need as well as order the last of your flowerbulbs & perennials.
• Prune your shrubs that require pruning in the Spring.  Check with your local extension office if in doubt so as to not cut off the shoots of this years flowers on shrubs that should not be pruned at this time.
• Clean up your garden as needed from last year's leftover growth or winter annuals such as pansies that are no longer flourishing.  This will help keep down the chance for disease as well as provide a more pleasant scene.

Click here to see her photo.  By the way, Heidi wins a $20.00 gift certificate redeemable for any items in our catalogs...you can too...just send in your photos today! 

We really have enjoyed getting your pictures for our contest...we are looking forward to seeing more wonderful photos of your gardens this year!

Also, new for our Hosta listing is a complete page with pictures of all of the varieties...an easy way to sort through what you find most appealing for your garden.  Just click on the name or the picture to see more details!

Ginger Lily Kahili Ginger	Hosta Fragrant Bouquet	Daylily Erin Prairie

It is a great time to go over the notes made when last year's Spring planted bulbs & perennials were blooming and start making your wish list for this upcoming Spring's planting. 

For Spring, all orders over $50.00 receive 2 FREE Cannas while all orders over $100.00 receive 2 Free Cannas and 1 Free Daylily.  Also, when you sign our guestbook, you will get a 10% discount on your first online order.  Remember to order early to ensure availability!

If you need or want a copy of our Spring 2005 catalog mailed to you, send us an email at info@touchofnature.com with your address and we will be happy to send it to you!