Isn’t it wonderful to finally see it getting lighter after 5 p.m.? It won’t be long now!

March is the transition month for gardening. It’s the time to cut down the ornamental grasses, perennials and groundcovers in preparation for the emerging tips of the spring blooming bulbs.

Leave all winter wraps and tyings on in case of any late winter snows.  If it should snow, carefully remove any wet, heavy snow that may accumulate on the tops of evergreens to prevent misshaped branches. Use a broom to softly do this but leave any ice drippings alone.

What’s causing the bark and branches of my shrubs to look as if they are eaten?

Meadow voles and rabbits use the snow as a step ladder to chew the soft bark off burning bush, fruit trees and other ornamental shrubs.  This destructive chewing damages the tubes which bring nutrients from the roots up to the shrub branches. If these chewings completely encircle the shrub, it will cause the shrub to dry out and die. Many times a shrub so affected will leaf out only to suddenly dry out and die. (Now you know why)

What’s causing all those winding paths in my lawn all around my beds?

Again, voles and mice living in the beds and groundcover use grass to line their beds and eat when food is limited over the winter. Not to worry though, as the grass will recover; no need to reseed.

Have you got Spring Fever?

Why not make a date to visit a regional flower and garden show?

• Gardenscape Rochester Flower & Garden show, March 11-14, www.rochesterflowershow.com
• Canada Blooms, Toronto, March 17-21, www.canadablooms.com
• Plantasia, Hamburg Fairgrounds, March 25-28, www.plantasiany.com

Jacrist Gardening Services, Inc. – The place to go when you need:

• Paths, Patios, Walks & Walls
• Low voltage Landscape Lighting
• Period Correct Historical Landscaping
• Specialized Ornamental Pruning and Renovation
• Landscaping for Beds, Borders or Complete Site Plans
• Pondless Water features, Garden Accents and Statuary
• Ornamental Shrubs, Trees, Perennials and Ornamental Grasses