COLUMBUS - Warmer weather might have some people wanting to spring into action and start on their lawns and gardens.
There are steps that can be taken now to prepare for the spring growing season, but don't be too rushed to put your green thumb to work.
“The main thing I want to say is you don't want to jump the gun too quickly. You want the soil temperature to warm up,” said Kelly Feehan, an educator at the Platte County Extension Office.
Feehan said there are cool season plants and warm season plans. Cool season ones typically don't have many flowers. Those types can be planted earlier than the warm season plants.
“Warm season plants, both vegetable and flowers, are not tolerant to frost. The seeds need the soil to be 50-55 degrees,” Feehan said.
Typically, the warm season varieties can be planted in late April and into May, after the last frost. Feehan said the average frost-free date in Nebraska is May 9.
As far as lawn care, Feehan said leaves and other debris should be removed now. She also cautioned against fertilizing too early. Fertilizing should be done in the middle of April.
Feehan also said gardeners might want to start to remove winter mulch on plants such as strawberries and roses.
“On really warm days, they might want to pull it back on plants. But leave it nearby so it can be used on cool nights,” Feehan said.
Pruning also can be done at this time if it is a summer blooming variety. Spring flowering trees and shrubs should be pruned after it is done blooming.
Those getting anxious to get outside to tend to their gardens can get tips, advice and ideas at the Gardening Gala 2007.
Feehan will speaker at the event, scheduled for March 31 in the West Education Building at Central Community College-Columbus Campus. Registration is at 9 a.m. and a keynote speaker, Steven Rodie, will speak about “Designing Landscapes that Look Good ... and Feel Good” at 9:30 a.m.
Rodie is an associate professor and landscaping horticulture specialist in the Department of Agronomy/Horticulture at UNL.
That presentation will be followed by another keynote address by Kristy Fortik. She has a degree in horticulture with a landscaping design option from UNL and will give a presentation on gardening in small areas called “Sweating the Small Stuff.”
In the afternoon, participants will be able to choose from different sessions.
The sessions include “M&M's Favorite Perennials” by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Master Gardeners Mary Stevens and Marilyn Schmit; “Moles, Voles & Gophers” by Dennis Ferraro, extension associate professor at UNL; “Hardscaping How-To” by Brett Ruscher of Autumn Blaze Landscaping; “Top Ten Plants for Platte County” by Feehan; “Hypertufa - Home Grown Stone” by Master Gardener Barb Goulet; and “Attracting Wildlife to Your Yard” by Ferraro.
The program cost is $30, and preregistration is required by Monday. For more information, call Lori Neid at 562-1451 or Karen Mroczek at 562-1249.
The event is sponsored by Central Community College-Columbus and Platte County Extension Master Gardeners.
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