Marlene Link cautions against being too eager in the garden

“Haste makes waste” is a saying that can apply to our gardens, too — don’t be too hasty at the first warm day to start clearing your gardens.

Leave your leaves to help insulate your plants and bulbs, as we are likely to receive more wintry weather. It also protects the worms that are breaking those leaves down and fertilizing the soil.

If you really must do some work, start by removing broken branches, dead hosta leaves and damaged plants; you can also cut back tall flower stems.

Add this material to your compost, with some manure to give it a kick-start. Try to avoid walking on your beds, as this compacts the soil, which makes it hard for roots to grow.

Pruning late summer-blooming plants can be done now, but don’t prune spring blooming plants now — wait until after they have bloomed to prune or shape.

Cut back your ornamental grasses, and if you have large-stemmed grass, save those stems to use for supports. Leave your silver leafed plants, like lavender, caryopteris and artemisia for a later date and warmer weather.

Why not join other gardeners and would-be gardeners at our next program night on April 18? It’s movie night for the Dunnville Horticultural Society.

We will be screening the documentary film The Gardener, which chronicles one man’s pursuit of gardening perfection during his 60-year love affair with his 20-acre garden.

We meet every third Thursday at the Optimist Club Hall, 101 Main St., from 7 to 9 p.m. Or visit us online on Facebook or at www.dunnvillehortandgardenclub.org.

For questions or comments, president contact Deb Zynomirski at 416-566-9337 or debzyn@gmail.com.

– Marlene Link is a member of the Dunnville Horticultural Society.

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