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SPRING PLANTING TIPS

April brings in the first signs of Spring, which means we’re officially in bloom! With frost fears gone, planning and planting your summer yard can now begin. You may already notice your allium, azaleas, baptisias, bleeding hearts, clematis, dogwoods, irises, lilacs, loropetalums, magnolias, Spanish bluebells, tulips, and a few other plants are in bloom. We know in Wilmington the azaleas are looking beautiful this time of year! If you are still trying to figure out what to plant this Spring we have some suggestions and tips to help your garden and flower beds thrive this Summer. 

One recommendation before you begin planting is to test your soil. Testing soil provides information on soil pH and nutrients present in your yard. This can help you to determine the amount of fertilizer you should add to your yard. Too much fertilizer can not only increase likelihood for diseases, but also can create pollution in waterways. Test kits are available at hardware stores or you can check at your local arboretum and see if they provide soil tests. In Wilmington our local arboretum provides soil tests, you can find more information about their hours here

With soil checked and ready to go you can begin planting. Spring is a great time to plant fruit trees if interested. In North Carolina apple trees, loquat, pear, cherry, olive, and persimmon trees are just a few fruit bearing trees that flourish. Also flourishing in April are hydrangeas, just be sure to put them in a sunny spot that also receives shade throughout the day. It is also time to start to move some of those annuals and biennials outside. Be sure to ease them into the outdoors and wait till after the last predicted freeze to plant them in the ground. Calendulas, foxgloves, larkspurs, and California poppies are all great annuals that can go in now even with cooler evening temperatures. Also ready for the ground are bulbs! So long as the threat of frost has passed it is time to get those flower beds growing.

Spring can also bring the return of insects and animals to the yard. While it’s great to see everything defrost and ecosystems alive and active, there are a few species to keep your eye on. Specifically in trees and bushes watch out for citrus whitefly, lecanium scale, boxwood leaf miners, aphids, and azalea lace bugs as they can invest and lay eggs on leaves. 

If this all seems overwhelming, don’t fret. There is plenty of time to get planting and enjoy your outdoor space all Spring/Summer. And if you find yourself needing extra help, Thorpe Landscapes does plant bed, tree installs, and maintenance. It’s time to bring Spring cleaning to the yard!

Daniel Thorpe