Reluctant Spring: What to Do While We Wait for the Warmth

As I sit down to write this, it’s snowing. Not a poetic dusting, not a magical flurry—just snow. On March 11th. While some people might find this annoying, here at Lakeview Nurseries, we call it reluctant spring. (Side note: Alec and I have spent the better part of the morning dashing around the nursery, rescuing our brave little pansies and blooming bulbs from the cold and hauling them back into the greenhouse. If that doesn’t say “determined plant geeks,” I don’t know what does.)

But we are ready for spring—whenever it decides to show up for real. Our spring bulbs are looking fresh, fabulous, and dare I say, Easter-photo-worthy. Come on in and see for yourself!

No Tomatoes… Yet

Our phones have been ringing off the hook with folks wondering if we have tomatoes, geraniums, and impatiens yet. We get it—you’re ready. Trust me, we are too! But right now it’s still WAY (and I cannot stress this enough, WAY) too early for anything not cold-hardy. Tender annuals and veggies just can’t take the freeze-thaw mood swings that New England spring is famous for.

So, what can you do to get your garden fix right now?

Mulch Like a Pro

Start with mulch! Seriously—early mulching is the unsung hero of spring gardening. If you get it down before your perennials start to emerge, it’s a much easier task. You’ll protect emerging shoots, help keep weeds at bay, and conserve moisture for the warmer days ahead. Plus, you’ll give your landscape that crisp, finished look that’ll make your neighbors say, “Wow, they really have their act together.” (You do.)

Need a refresher on mulch? Check out our blog post from a few seasons ago:https://lakeviewnurseries.com/mulching-is-the-answer/ 

We’re open seven days a week, and mulch and loam are available for pickup or delivery every single day. Just call us at (978) 342-3770 or order online here: https://lakeviewnurseries.com/product-category/bulk-bark-mulch-and-soils/  Your garden will thank you.

About Those Rhododendrons…

A lot of you have reached out concerned about your rhododendrons. “They look dead.” “Should I dig them up?” “Did winter kill them?”

Here’s the scoop: your rhododendrons are most likely suffering from winter burn—a common condition in evergreens caused by freezing temps, wind, and fluctuating conditions – exactly what we experienced this past Feburary and March. The leaves look curled, bronze, and crispy, but don’t panic. The roots are often just fine.

Our best advice is wait until whatever new growth is going to emerge in mid May has and then go ahead and prune out all the winter damaged die back. Yes, they will look horrible for several more weeks but early pruning runs the risk of pruning off potential new growth before it’s had a chance to emerge. We never said gardening in Massachusetts was going to be easy!

What Can You Do?

• Wait until mid Mayl to assess the true damage. New buds should begin to emerge.
• Prune dead tips once you see where the new growth is pushing out. Use clean, sharp pruners and snip back just past the damaged section.
• Mulch and water to reduce stress and give the plant the best chance to rebound.
• Fertilize—An application of Holy Tone will go a long way helping rhododendrons recover from winter burn. .

A little patience, a little pruning, and your rhododendrons will bounce back better than ever. They’ve been through worse—we promise.

Until spring officially checks its calendar and shows up, we’re here to keep your garden dreams alive and your pansies from freezing.

See you soon (hopefully without snowflakes), Michelle & the Lakeview Plant Geeks