The earlier arrival of warm days and summer-like heat has pushed up the timeline for spring gardening.
Mike Arnold, director of The Gardens at Texas A&M University, said prime time for gardening is about two to three weeks ahead of schedule this year, pushing up the timeline for pruning, fertilizing and planting annuals. Texas’ widespread drought and several months of below-average rainfall have also affect gardening timelines.
Pruning
When it comes to pruning, Arnold said if you haven’t already tackled it, now is the time. He recommends cutting back herbaceous perennials, or plants that die back to the ground but regrow each year, and shrubs damaged by winter cold. For tropical plants like palms, which take longer to regrow, he suggests patience and “learn[ing] to love the ugly.”
Breaking News
For those unsure if a woody bush like rosemary survived the winter, Arnold suggests checking two ways: If stems bend instead of breaking off, there’s a good chance the plant is still alive; gardeners can also lightly scratch the bark off with a fingernail to see green (alive) or brown/grey (dead).
“Most of our shrubs, as long as the stems aren’t damaged, come back out,” he said.
Fertilizing
The staff has already begun fertilizing at The Gardens. Arnold also recommends an earlier-than-usual application of weed prevention treatments, noting both need to be watered into the soil for quicker absorption.
“We’re always trying to time those… [with] Mother Nature, [but] we may have to help out and water some of that in with irrigation,” Arnold noted, regarding drier conditions.
Dry summers
He also recommends planning for a potentially drier summer by choosing drought-tolerant plants, like agave and Texas sage, as well as prioritizing water-efficient irrigation strategies like drip lines. Mulch can also be very effective for preventing water loss through evaporation, but don’t be overzealous, and keep the layer to three inches or less. He also recommends using a mulch fixed tothe soil’s pH. Shredded pine bark or pine straw can balance an overly alkaline soil, while hardwood mulch can do the same for acidic soil.
Regardless of the gardening task at hand, it’s time to get started. Arnold also said it’s never too early to start planning summer and fall crops, as supplies will likely be bountiful in the off-season.
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