Spring Clean Up

The following is from a conversation with John and Katrina Bishop of Christopher’s Gardens Nursery in Lakeside

First things first. It’s time for pine needles, oak leaves, and lot cleanups. Straight oak leaves or straight aspen leaves can be used for compost. It can be mixed into the garden soil to get ready. Do not use pine needles. If you have compost from last year that looks good, turn it and smell it. If there is no mold, you can use it. If it’s earthy, organic, and has some heat, it’s good. If there’s a white fungus or powdery mildew, it’s not good.

If you have a fungus on a tree, pick up the leaves at the end of the season. The fungus can sit there and get into the soil or fall into your raised beds. It’s crucial that, once a fungus appears, you try to get rid of it.

Get everything cleaned up and ready to plant. Start your soil prep. If you didn’t put manure down in the fall, you can now do so with the conditioner and soil activator Humic Acid. It takes the depleted nutrients and brings them back without burning or overdoing them.

Fertilizers include bone meal, blood meal, and organic fertilizer. If the soil is low on potash, you can add more now. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the main three fertilizers. If you have a root crop — potatoes, carrots, beets — you would put more potash in so they will do better.

Rotating plants. Perennial vegetables can be separated from annual vegetables. They should be fine if you are fertilizing consistently with the same ingredients.

Vine plants (peppers, squash, zucchini) will do well on the side of a tomato planter, allowing it to hang down or grow along a fence. Watermelons do well with vining off the side of a barrel planter. Maximize your space.

Pre-plan your garden. Plant what you like to eat. Maximize your space. Know what will grow well in your area so you don’t waste your space. Plants thrive on food, water, and sunshine. If a friend has lots of cherry tomatoes, another has an abundance of lettuce, and you have ample squash, share your vegetables. If you buy a six-pack of cauliflower and don’t need 6, share it with a friend(s), and your friend(s) can share theirs with you.

Consider that growth, sunlight, and rain vary from our community to Pinetop Lakeside proper. When and what you plant also differs. Our area may have more diseases because it is wetter.

Trees. When the snow is gone, it’s a great time to plant trees. Trees can be planted year-round if the soil is workable. Always water new trees if the ground is not wet enough in the winter from lack of snow or rain.

Fertilizing grass. If you can see your lawn in late March or the first of April and you know a snowstorm is coming, you can broadcast fertilizer and let the snow melt it in. When the snow melts slowly, the grass picks up the nitrogen, and you have green grass.

Wall of Water. Christopher’s starts their Wall of Waters on April 15. These amazing makeshift greenhouses give you a 2-month head start on your tomatoes and keep the plant from freezing. Three packs for $25 are available now.

Seeds are available now. Beat the rush in May and June and get what you want now. Seed Potatoes and onion sets are usually available at the end of March or the beginning of April.

Dahlia bulbs are available until they are gone. Dahlia plants, Begonias, Gladiolas, and ornamentals will be available at the end of May. Be sure to wait until after the last frost before planting.

Wait and plant in late May to avoid the late frost that may occur yearly. The last full moon determines this time frame for planting before the summer solstice. Veggie Planting Guide.

Christopher’s Gardens welcomes “How to” questions. Katrina says, “One issue we have here is that we’re limited on sunshine and space, and you may want a variety of plants. Some plants may need more water, and others may need less water. Jot down what your plan is and ask us questions.”

Be sure to check back with us periodically for topics on veggies, perennial and annual flowers, shade and sun plants, and more from John and Katrina.

Christopher’s Gardens Nursery 1629 W. White Mountain Blvd / 744 W. Apache Lane Lakeside, AZ 85929 | 928-368-6723 christophersgardensnursery.com