Gardening dos and don’ts for 2020 part 1

The New Year is well under way and I’m sure that all of us have resolved to be better gardeners in 2020. This week, as in past years, I would like to share some useful dos and don’ts of gardening that, hopefully, will help us in this effort. DO prune summer-flowering deciduous trees and shrubs (along with evergreen shrubs) in January and February. DON’T prune early spring-flowering shrubs such as azaleas, spirea, quince, rebud, and dogwood until after they bloom and before about July 1. Their flowers arise from old wood (previous season’s growth), so pruning them now results in many lost blossoms. DON’T murder your crape myrtles when pruning! There is a better way. More on this topic in later articles. DO fertilize pansies and violas and other winter-flowering annuals with a complete fertilizer every few weeks. Be sure to use a fertilizer containing the nitrate form of nitrogen, which is the form of nitrogen that plants can use immediately, regardless of soil temperature. DO apply mulch around your favorite trees, shrubs, and flowers. DON’T apply more than four inches of any mulch. DO raise the lawn mower blades during times of drought. DO take soil samples from your flower beds and garden spots. Only then you will be able to accurately fertilize and monitor pH levels of your soils. Sampling every couple of years is recommended. DO, when transplanting container-grown plants, dig a hole at least two to three times the diameter of the pot to give the roots ample room to spread. DON’T bag those grass clippings unless you are using them in the compost pile. DO grow vegetables in a location which receives six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day. DO remove spent flowers from annuals and perennials. This practice, known as deadheading, tells plants to place their energies into producing more flowers and stronger leaves and roots rather than in seed production. DO read the labels on the pesticides you use in your garden. DON’T think if one ounce is good, two ounces is better. DO always water in any newly transplanted trees, shrubs, or flowers immediately after planting. This is to remove air pockets and settles and firms the soil around the plant’s roots. DO know what plants are deer resistant if you are having trouble with deer in your landscape. DON’T plant glossy privet, wisteria, or Bradford pears-anywhere. DON’T overwater your houseplants. Wait until the soil in their pot feels dry to the touch. Then water until a small amount of excess water drains through the bottom of the pot. DON’T plant shrubs and trees too close to your house. Give them plenty of room, keeping in mind their size at maturity. DO divide and replant perennials every three to four years. DON’T apply garden pesticides early in the day when bees are foraging. Wait until very late in the afternoon when bees have returned to their hives. DO know which chemicals are toxic to bees and which are safe. DO wait to plant caladiums, amaryllis, and gladiolus in May after the soil has warmed. DO keep your compost pile moist but not wet. DO turn it about once per week. DON’T plant your tomato transplants too early. Wait until the soil temperature has warmed and stays consistently warm (60 degrees or so) for a couple of weeks. Happy 2020 gardening! Tim Lewis is a Georgia Green Industry Association Certified Plant Professional, gardening writer, former Perry High School horticulture instructor, and former horticulturalist at Henderson Village and Houston Springs. He and his wife, Susan, own and operate Lewis Farms Nursery located on Hwy 26 two miles east of Elko, where he was born and raised. He can be reached at (478)954-1507, timlewis1@windstream.net or LewisFarmsNursery.com.