by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
Jean Kruegar is your typical Jacksonville gardener, she enjoys the beauty of her garden, but isn’t really into the technical terms. Early spring for her is the same as it is for gardeners across the city—a time to clean out the debris and leaves, starting anew.
Winter’s frost always claims a few plants. Now is the time to remove those and prepare your beds for new flowers and plants. It’s still a little early to plant anything that can’t take cold weather. Jacksonville likely has a few more nights left when the temperature will get close to freezing or below.
Kruegar, a member of the Jacksonville Garden Club’s Poppy Circle, knows that her work is just beginning, but her eyes sparkle with the anticipation of planting new things. She’s not afraid to try out different things in her garden, watching her plants carefully for signs that they don’t like the spot she’s chosen for them. “I just like to experiment. I do what works…If it doesn’t bloom,” she says “I know that it doesn’t have the right exposure.” Not everything is a success, though she’s learned things over the years and listens to the experts. “My friendly neighborhood garden shop is my best tool.”
When she isn’t tending her garden Kruegar is part of the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus. “I think it’s a very close relationship,” she says “music rejuvenates the soul and so does gardening.”
The early spring is an excellent time for garden prep or a garden spring cleaning. Here’s what you should be doing to prepare your garden:
--Prune. To get those lovely blooms, particularly on Crepe Myrtle, you’ll need to trim your trees, bushes and other plants. Things will look a little bare for a few weeks, but now is the time. Azaleas should be trimmed right after they bloom.
--Prepare beds. Till the soil, remove winter leaves and debris, add compost or other fertilizer.
--Test the PH. You can buy kits at your garden shop to test the PH of the soil. Different plants like different PHs and nutrient levels. You can either use your results as a guide or you can work to change the soil’s PH.
--Plant. Plant new perennials before the heat of the summer. Make sure to cover new growth when there is going to be a freeze.
Herbs can be grown year round in Jacksonville, though they are best started in the spring. Freezes are definitely still a danger, so you’ll want to guard against that. Herbs are one of the best choices for a first time gardener because a) they are fairly cheap, b) they don’t require a large investment of space, c) they are practical and can be used in cooking.
--You’ll need sunlight because most herbs want at least some direct sunlight.
--Don’t use pesticides. Most pesticides are not safe for use on herbs; try various natural remedies (like washing off aphids) depending on the variety of pests you have.
--Contain your herbs when necessary. Some herbs can spread like weeds. Mint is particularly prolific and will take over your yard if you allow it to.
--Start indoors. Before the soil gets to 55 degrees day and night, you’ll want to start seedlings indoors or in a green house. One of the easiest herbs to grow from seed is basil, though cold temperatures are not good, even for established plants.
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