I’ve started working on this list myself and will continue into next week. I know we’re all gnawing at the bit to get outside! Here’s what you need to do first.
1. Sharpen your tools + lawn mower blades. I keep one of these Corona files in my garden trug. And on spécial now!
https://amzn.to/2NX9Bec
2. Order + buy your seeds now to make sure you have them at planting time.
3. Feed your perennials, fruits, blooming shrubs with triple super phosphate.
https://amzn.to/2Ot7fmR
4. Spray with Dormant Oil Spray to control scale + spider mite + other sucking pests before growing season begins.
https://amzn.to/3bk9J0c
Centurion battery operated sprayer
https://amzn.to/3rkjSiJ
Hose end sprayer:
https://amzn.to/38fFoxF
5. Have this on hand to control fungus gnats in your houseplants and mosquitoes later on.
Mosquito Bits
https://amzn.to/3qlWz6Z
Recommended hand pruners:
https://amzn.to/3ecChdC
Website: https://www.lindavater.com/
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My USDA Gardening Zone: 7a
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50 Comments
Thank you for the info on the gnats! Ordering it right now!
For your Canadian fans (that’s me!) mosquito bits are not available here and can’t be shipped from the US. The equivalent is mosquito dunks available at Home Depot, Walmart etc. They contain the same bacterium but in a disc form that are meant for standing water but can be dissolved in water and used to water plants. Getting some this weekend.
We still have 3feet of snow and temperatures in the morning around -19 celsius, so it may be a while before I can do most of these tips! But it is encouraging to see someone has a garden they can actually see. cheers from northern Ontario in Canada!
Hello from Washington State!!😁👍👋💐💐💐
I apologize up front to ask this here but I have tried every other venue I can find to get an answer to no avail. I purchased a membership in mid-February for LVTV. It is my understanding that is no longer to be and I am fine with that but was told that I could transfer to a YouTube group. This was to provide access to the membership page and the private Facebook page. Every time I tried to access either the membership page or the private email I am met with crickets. There is no response. If there is a reason, please tell me. I so enjoy your YouTube posts and they are very encouraging and inspiring. Thank you for any help or direction you can give me.
I use Mosquito Bits for my house plants too! Certainly makes a difference…doesn’t 100% eliminate but still worth it!
Loved this video! Thank you Linda.
Thank you for the information! What is that yellowish long leafed plant on your front wall? 🌳💚
What was the name of the item she used for spider mites ???? Anyone ? I didn’t see it
Where you get the mosquito bites?
Fabulous info, thank you!! 😍 Linda
Hiii thanks for your tips😊🌷
Can I use triple super phosphate for my hydrangea???
Great tips! I recently thought of making a to-do list while I wait for the snow to melt. It's quiet now, but soon there will be a flurry of activities that need attention once it warms up. (Zone 4b.)
Last year, I looked everywhere for the sheers you recommended. I don't know if they've been discontinued or a victim of Covid-related supply shortage. They did have the wavy blade kind, but those must be a nightmare to sharpen.
A couple years ago I drove over the fiberglass handle of my beloved spading fork and shattered it. I haven't been successful finding a suitable replacement (wood handles too heavy). I did find some tape/wrap and hope that'll repair the tool. I really love that essential tool.
I ordered some Mosquitoes Bits.
Great tips. Thank you. I bought some mosquito bits years ago when I had a water feature and it said it was toxic to animals and people so I have stayed away from it. Is your brand different?
I'd like to see a pic of all of your different GARDEN boots/shoes…lol
I did a fungus gnat video last year on controlling fungus gnats and told everyone about the Mosquito bits. They are a game-changer. I have made this comment on a variety of others so I don't know if I did here or not. Great tip on Ace Hardware, I have one just a mile from my home.
These were such fun ideas. I appreciated your response to Stuart's commentary. Gotta laugh together.
Linda! Next time you are at the Goodwill store, look for an old metal or vintage mailbox. You can paint the mailboxes black, leave them in spots in the garden and HIDE YOUR TOOLS IN THEM! Waterproof storage!!! (and so pretty)
Great tips I do some of them
ACE is awesome for tool sharpening. And it’s not expensive at all. And ACE also sells triple super phosphate. 👍
Just curious as to why you only use Phosphate/Phosphorus, most plants would benefit from a lower Nitrogen fertilizer that has some Potassium as well. In early spring plants need a little of everything, something like a 5-15-10 or a 3-8-6. As long as the first number isn’t higher than the others, they are good for almost all plants.
Yuliya mentioned them in her recent video about fungus gnats!
Who do you call to help with your drip irrigation system?
Hullo Lovely Linda – garden tool maintenance tips – wonderful, thank you. However, I do hope it was only water you sprayed (without a mask, albeit briefly) using the Centurion spray bottle! Also – The large sprayer marked “Roundup “ – please – please, tell me you don’t use “Roundup” which is an absolute poison! Blessings for healthy garden management 🙌
Great tips, especially the tools and the reminder about feeding hydrangeas
Linda, love your talks! What should I do for my lot lining large crape myrtles?
Where is your wooden garden bench from? Love it!
Be careful with Phosphate. It can runoff, causing blooms of harmful algae that deplete waterways of oxygen, resulting in “dead zones” that damage ecosystems vital for aquatic life.
Love your intro—makes me smile every time ♥️
Is the granular fertilizer something you use in addition to something like Miracle grow fertilizer? Do I use it on my camellias and azaleas? I also ordered the battery operated sprayer. Thank you, I love your videos.
My seed orders also haven’t arrived.
Hi Linda, love this video! Do you think I could use the dormant horticultural oil on lilacs right now? They’re not blooming yet, but pushing new growth.
I go nuts with seeds! I always buy more plant seeds than I can handle.
OMG what a great video! TFS 😊👍🏽😊
Do you have a video on where you find all of your beautiful pots? I love all of the different shaped terra cotta ones.
Such great tips to start my Spring preparation, thank you, dear!
EXCELLENT information.
Great tip on Ace Hardware/tools. I ordered seeds in like January! 🙂
Gophers, oh no! What do you recommend? My new garden is getting eaten.
Nice outfit, nice wellies.. Lovely )
Wow, just found your channel, and love it! Thanks for all the great tips!
How can you even think of advertising RoundUp…shame. That stuff is killing everything including us!!!!!!!!!!!
I've seen the mosquito bits at my local gardening center so many times and just passed right by it! Will definitely use this!! 👍
Thank you all for the mosquito bits tip! We have a pool and the mosquitoes are so bad!
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Thanks Linda. I’m on it! Happy Spring.😎💕🦋🌷🌷🌷🌷
Can you actually show what it means that a plant grows on old wood?
Thanks Linda!
Love your hair style… what did you do to style it like this. So glad I found your channel for gardening
Our Ace only sharpens knives. I don’t get it either. There are a massive amount of gardeners here.