Spring ushers in long-awaited warm temperatures, perfect for outdoor enjoyment. Below is a seasonal guide to help you get your yard in shape for the season ahead.
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Basic Gardening Prep
Start by clearing your garden beds of debris and old mulch and adding nutrients. Fertilize your lawn and trees to promote healthy growth. Don’t forget to apply new mulch to retain moisture, reduce weeds, and protect plant roots.
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Know Your Growing Zone
Most of Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6, but Louisville lies on the border between Zones 6b and 7a. Knowing your zone helps you determine the average dates for the first fall frost and the last spring frost. While these dates are averages, they give you a reliable target for planting and protecting your garden. Knowing the zone also helps you pick the correct plants that can thrive in your garden.Â
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Matching Plants to Sunlight
Unfortunately, just because you like a certain plant doesn’t mean it will work in your desired location. Selecting the right plant for each garden location is essential, especially considering sunlight. Plants have specific light needs, with some thriving in full sun and others in shade.Â
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Vegetables to Start Planting
Now’s the time to plant vegetables like cucumbers, beets, lettuce, broccoli, spinach, carrots, potatoes, raspberries, and various herbs.
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Bushes and Trees to Prune
Focus on pruning summer-blooming shrubs to encourage new growth and blooms. Key varieties to prune include:
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Hydrangeas (panicle and wild types), butterfly bushes, dogwoods, forsythia, spirea, rose of sharon, magnolia, fuchsia, holly, viburnum, and clematis.
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When do I prune my hydrangea?
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- Macrophylla (Big Leaf) Hydrangea: Prune in late summer, but avoid heavy pruning—just remove old, dead wood. (Maybe Use a Picture for an example – Endless Summer)
- Panicle Hydrangeas: Prune in late fall or early spring. These shrubs can handle a more aggressive pruning and will regrow with ease. (Maybe Use a Picture for an example – Limelight)
Popular Fast-Growing Plants
If you’re looking to add fast-growing greenery to your landscape, consider these varieties:
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Green Giants, Arborvitae, Leyland Cypress, and Juniper.
