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Katie's Helpful Hints

Pruning. When to or when not to???? Now is getting around the time that you will want to start pruning trees and shrubs. You never want to prune Spring flowering trees and shrubs too late into the spring, this may lead to pruning off the new flower buds. The one tree that I would rather prune in the fall is the Maple. This time of the year they will bleed (or lose their syrup) if pruned off. Oaks, Honeylocust, Crab Apples, Pears, Mountain Ash and Hawthorne are best pruned now. Remove black-knot swelling on Plum, Chokeberry and Cherry trees. If you have any further questions about pruning feel free to call our office. We are there Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30.

Gardening. It is that time a year again when all the stores are getting out seeds and starter kits. Just remember when looking for seeds to check the sell by date and the germination rate. The production goes down every year that the seeds are past their packaging date. Also, look for germination rates above 85%. This will give you the most plants. Don't forget the old "Wives Tale" that says "to plant your potatoes by Good Friday"!!! Well that isn't the case anymore, but they can go into the ground as soon as it thaws. They do need to get in the ground in early Spring. Also, some other varieties that can go in the ground in April are lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussell sprout.
A Sowing Lesson. Here is a list of vegetables best sown in the ground: Beans (bush & pole), Beets, Carrots, Collards, Corn, Cucumbers, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mustard Greens, Parsnips, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Spinach, Squash (summer and winter), Swiss Chard and Turnips.

Practice "Phenology" - which means watching natural indicators to know when it is safe to sow seeds outdoors (from the Greeks) -

Plant these When

Hardy crops

Peach & plum trees are in bloom

Corn	Elm leaves are the size of a squirrels, oak leaves the size of a mouse's ear, or dogwoods are in full bloom

Lettuce, peas, spinach

Lilacs are in first leaf

Beans & squash

Lilacs are in full bloom

Perennials

Maples are coming into leaf

Annuals. This is the time of year to start thinking about some of the containers that you will be planting. Some of the things to think about are sun or shade, colors, height, how big of pot, and how often can this plant get watered? With that in mind we can assist you in picking out the perfect plants for you. Otherwise, if you have that winter itch and want to do your research now either call or go onto www.provenwinners.com website. This site is very easy to use and we carry most of their varieties.

Got cabin fever? This will get you out of the house and into 'spring'!!
March Community Expo Zimmerman- Saturday 3/20 Stop by our Booth!!!		Save the Date Saturday April 24th Our Annual "Open House"!! Master Gardeners will be here as well as a representative from Bailey Nurseries to answer all your gardening questions.
Opening Day is less than a month away! Keep watching our website for the exact date.	The 'Rum River Garden Society' presents the '1-2-3 Garden Tune-up Luncheon' Sat. 3/13 - Noon to 2:30 at St. John Lutheran Church in Zimmerman Call Molly at 763-389-8040 to sign up today	'SPRING DAYS Gardening Workshop' at the Monticello Middle School Sat., 3/13 - 8:15am-3pm Click here for more info	sign up for the MN GROWN newsletter