by Anna Ribbeck

This is a tricky time of year, because Old Man Winter is just one great big tease! Warm and sunny one day, we awaken the next to a chilly, gray mist. This is the starting palette for the garden artist. Just as an artist prepares the canvas with a neutral backwash, now is the time for the gardener to prepare the garden for what lies ahead.

It is a great time to do an annual aeration of the lawn. Areas under trees should be seeded with zoysia or fescue. Fertilize any areas that do not need seeding or sod replacement. Spread a good pre-emergent weed killer over the whole expanse, and then water like crazy whenever the sun shines! Green is the color at the base of our painting.

Next, we begin flower-bed preparation. Rich soil can be achieved with the addition of manure, compost, top-soil or peat. Mix these in carefully, trying not to disturb any bulbs that should be peeking through now. Add mulch as a final coat to bring a contrast of brown against the base of green. As those fall-planted bulbs (tulips, jonquils, hyacinth, etc.) mature, a natural addition of spring color will occur. The beautiful hues will also provide a fragrant scent, which might entice you to continue into the next phase of building up the base.

Herb gardens should be started now. The choice of seed or seedling is up to you. Whichever you choose, water is required to keep the growth consistent. Remember that many herbs are great as border plants. Some favorites are parsley, thyme, sage, mint and oregano. After the last frost is the perfect time to add some of the taller herbs. Find a well-drained area and put in dill, fennel, basil and rosemary. All of these also enjoy full sun and the company of vegetable plants. You will have ready-made aroma every time you water or touch your garden.

Woody plants are the backbone of the upper garden, and now is the time to consider this design element. Let your eye wander over the garden from high to low. Trim and shape the bushes that have finished their spring blooming. Azaleas are some of the most prolific at this time of year. They add such a glorious burst of color! If you have none in your garden, or just a few, please rush out and purchase some at your local nursery and place them wherever you lack color or substance. They add the beauty of green all summer and make a great backdrop for the annuals. The Gumpo variety will stay low to the ground (1 foot or less). For medium height, try Kurume (2-4 feet). Large spaces can be filled with the Indica hybrids (4-8 feet). Azaleas prefer acid soil that is moist and well drained. They like filtered shade, and love to nestle under the pines. Pine needles or bark make the best mulch for their fine, fibrous roots.

Old-fashioned roses are fashionable once again. They are easy to add to the garden. Place them along fences or buildings for a nice addition of color and scent. Previously planted bushes should be in bloom now, so don’t forget to check for black spot or mold. Aphids will probably begin their visits to the rose garden as soon as the heat stays constant. Begin feeding now, at least once a month, preferably after each blooming spell. Dead limbs should be removed whenever you see them.

Trees may be pruned or shaped until summer’s heat creeps in. Make sure all trees are mulched, aerated and watered heavily. Never pile soil or mulch right up against the tree’s bark. This can cause problems with mold and rot. And speaking of wood, a trellis is easily set into the soft, spring ground—now is the time to start training the beautiful summer vines. Look for vines like allemande, thumbergia, jasmine, honeysuckle and clematis. All of these enjoy our summer heat and humidity. They will reward you with beautiful fragrant blooms all summer long. Always make sure the vine’s roots are shaded and that their tops catch the light of the sun.

Now that the garden backdrop is laid in, don’t forget to dot the landscape with artistic garden essentials. No garden is complete without a bath or feeder for our feathered friends. New ones can be added now; old ones should be cleaned and filled. The birds will not only thank you, but they will complete your painting with color, movement and sound. The simple painting is now a new media—one that no modern technology can rival. No DVD or MP3 will ever be as satisfying as a walk through a well-planned garden.

Your investment of labor and thought in the garden during the next two months will reward you with a bountiful, living canvas. Dust off your brush and begin painting today!