Don't be fooled!
Time for April Fools' Day. Remember, there are lots of ways to be "fooled." At this time of year a lot of us are getting itchy fingers to start planting outside. In most cases, this is a mistake. Remember how early it is. Normal planting time for our area is May 15. That's six weeks away.
Yes, I know, we're seeing plants for sale all over town. Stop and think for a minute. Are these being sold in reputable local greenhouses or are you seeing them at the big box stores? If it's the latter, be very cautious as they often have huge displays of TROPICAL plants. Before you buy, look on the tag for the zone they can grow in. Ours is now zone 6; to be safe, go by zone 5. This should be marked on the label, but often isn't. Do a bit of research before buying.
Even if the zone is OK, think about what you will do with this live plant in the meantime. Since you can't put it outside yet, you'll need to find a spot in a very cool but brightly lit room. Do you have such a place? Most of us don't. My best advice ... walk on by.
Besides live plants, there are boatloads of "bare root" ones being offered. These need to either be potted up indoors or kept in a very cool dark area. This can be done if you have the area and want to make the effort.
Now that spring has officially arrived, it is time to get to work. Most of the yards have dried out a bit, so consider the green flag "dropped." Get those tools out and sharpen those that need it. Then start the Big Cleanup.
Be careful raking. You don't want to break off any of those green shoots that are busy popping up here and there. If you can stand to leave the mulch on until mid-April, you'll be glad you did if a late cold snap moves in.
Lots of us winter over geraniums indoors. This can be done by just keeping them in a sunny window all winter. If the plants are getting tall and gangly, now is the time to cut them back to 6 or 8 inches tall. They will soon be covered with new growth and will look good by mid to late May when you plant them outdoors.
The other way to keep geraniums over winter is the "brown bag" approach. In the fall, these plants are pulled out, the soil shaken off and the entire plant put into a large brown bag. This is kept over winter in a cool, dry and dark place. The sad-looking plant is potted up in early spring and will soon come back to life. Believe it or not.
There are some gorgeous plants which do well here but need a longer growing season. To do this, we start those bulbs and tubers indoors. Plant them up as soon as you find them for sale. Some of the best of these include dahlias and tuberous begonias. With luck, these can be dug in fall and saved over for years to come.
Dormant roses can be planted or moved now. That is, if your soil has thawed out. Hybrid tea roses need to have their bud union buried about 4 inches below ground level. If the nighttime temperatures get down into the 20s, put a mulch of pine needles around the plant.
Onions require very early planting. Select the largest sets you can find and plant them now. The more green growth these develop, the larger the onion bulb will be. These need shallow planting with the tip of the little bulb at ground level. They do best in a loose soil with very little fertilizer.
Most area greenhouses open the first of April. They've been busy growing things for months and will have many things to admire already. I love the smell.
Because I'm a dog lover, I enjoy cute little signs. One I saw recently said, "Please take off your shoes ... the dog needs something to chew on."
Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting in 4-H. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and is currently serving as secretary for the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls. Her column appears in the Press every other Sunday from early March to late October. Email eandtjcerny @aol.com