NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – If your yard is starting to call your name, you’re not alone. Spring planting season is quickly approaching across Middle Tennessee, but experts say timing still matters.
Local gardening experts Greg Yandell and Jake Gunter, from Ace Hardware in Hendersonville, shared a few simple ways to get your yard ready now while avoiding common early-season mistakes.
A good rule of thumb is to wait until around April 15, or Tax Day, before planting most flowers and vegetables. That’s typically when the risk of frost drops off across the region. However, there are still some plants you can safely put in the ground now, including vegetables, bushes, azaleas, and other hardy landscape plants.
Covering plants with a light cloth during any future cold snaps should be enough to protect them. By planting early, you can really enhance the bounty of your garden. Plants typically stop the majority of their growing when temperatures exceed 87 degrees, so taking advantage of the early part of the growing season can be very helpful for your garden.
If you’re unsure whether your plants made it through this past winter, experts recommend doing a simple “scratch test.” Use a knife or pruning shears to lightly scrape the surface of a stem. If you see green underneath, the plant is still alive. If not, continue testing farther down toward the base. If there’s no green growth at all, the plant is likely no longer viable and should be removed to help prevent disease from spreading.
Before adding anything new to your garden, experts say it’s important to focus on what’s already there. Cleaning out dead stalks and removing leaves at the base of plants can help prevent disease and make room for new growth. Fertilizing is also key this time of year to give plants a strong start.
With March trending dry across Middle Tennessee, watering is also top of mind. Hydrangeas, in particular, need consistent moisture and may require extra attention during dry stretches.
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