Blooming Prairie's Almanac

JAN

Order seeds and organize and/or discard old ones. Many organic seed companies have catalogs now available online. Check the links page for some of my favorites.

Feed the birds. Consider adding a small heater to your bird bath or fountain in order to provide birds with a supply of water as well. The sight of a cardinal munching sunflower seeds on a bitter morning warms the heart, if not the hands.

Dream of spring and draw up garden plans, it is easier to plan during the winter when the “bones” and raw form of your landscape are more obvious. Plus looking out the window gives a good idea of what kind of view you want your garden to offer from the inside out.

Build a windowbox or trellis in your workshop or shop for one, or other garden ornaments for your “wish list”

FEB

Time to start seeds for slow growing plants like pansies, onions, or celery. Perennials are best started at this time also.

On a warm day, venture outside and prune dead or damaged branches from fruit trees, hedges and shrubs, be careful not to cut any that are simply dormant, however.

On a cold day, head to the Henry Doorly Zoo and the warmth of the indoor jungle or desert dome. Close your eyes and pretend you are somewhere far away-like summer.

Pamper your housplants, lightly fertilize any that show signs of new growth. Channel your itch for planting into taking cuttings and starting new plants as well as transplanting any that have become root bound. Many plants, such as Wandering Jew, make excellent companions for outdoor arrangements come spring.

MAR

Don’t get in too much of a hurry, the first hints of spring send many gardeners running out and uncovering their plants, only to be hit by harsh winds and frost a few days later. In Omaha, it is usually safe to start spring clean-ups the second half of the month, but April 1st is a safe bet, no fooling.

Start more seeds under lights or in a sunny window, focus on your favorites as well as plants that may be difficult to find at the nursery. I love growing a variety of cherry tomatoes for container plantings - that way if I am absorbed in my garden and forget to come in for dinner, I have plenty of healthy snacks at my fingertips. Of course, this only works if you don’t spray them with chemicals.

Time to get out and prune. Clearing old and dead branches from shrubs and ornamental trees is best now before they bud out. This allows the plants to focus their energy on newer growth as well as reducing damage to buds and leaves that could result from later pruning. It is also much easier to see what needs to done without leaves in the way.

APR

Complete all neccessary clean-up chores. Cut back ornamental grasses and other perennials that were left to provide winter interest and habitat.

Dig, divide, and/or transplant most perennials now. Moving things around and splitting perennials that need it for rejuvination allow you to make a mess now all at once. This allows the opportunity to ammend the soil as needed and gives plants the longest time to settle in. Also the cooler weather and frequent rains let nature do much of the important work for you. Hostas, especially, should be divided now so as not to damage their leaves later on.

After the soil has warmed, plant cold-tolerant veggies such as lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, and onions. Bring out your other seedlings during the day to “harden them off.”

Visit garden centers and nurseries for the best selection of tools, seeds, and plants now before the mad rush of Mother’s Day.

Spread an organic pre-emergent to help control the germination of annual weeds. Recent studies at Iowa State have shown corn gluten meal to work effectively.

Send Jason a birthday card, and plant Pansies.

MAY

Send your mother a card. Instead of giving her cut flowers, consider live plants for her garden, or offer to help her planting.

Plant annuals and put together container plantings. May 9th is the official frost-free date for Omaha, but watch the weather. Sometimes you can get a jump on this date if warm weather arrives early.

Plant any seedlings and sow seeds of any annual flowers or vegetables that prefer to start in the ground, such as zinnias, carrots, and dill.

Prune spirea, azaleas, lilacs, forsythia and other spring-flowering shrubs after they bloom.

JUN

Deadhead spring blooming perennials and bulbs. Let the foliage from dafodills and tulips remain as long as you can stand it. The foliage gathers valuable energy from the sun for next years blooms.

Stop and smell the roses, and while you are at it, give them a light dose of fertilizer. A 1-inch layer of compost, or alfalfa meal or pellets around each plant adds fertilizer and organic matter in one step. Organic liquid fertilizers such as fish emulsion or seaweed are readily available. They provide the best benefits to roses and other perennials as they are budding out.

Take a day off, head to the ballpark and catch a game at the College World Series.

JUL

Deadhead shrub Roses and early blooming perennials like Nepeta and Husker Red Penstemon now. The sooner you cut 'em back the better they're gonna look and most even will provide another round of blooms later.

When the sun starts to beat down step under the canopy of that oak or maple that you curse every fall and sincerely apologize while sipping down a glass of lemonade.

Monitor the garden for signs of pests or disease, and take action.

Give summer flowering shrubs and perennials a boost with an organic fertilizer such as a seaweed or bat guano product.

AUG

Have another glass of lemonade under the tree and enjoy summer while it lasts.

Don't forget about the weeds, they haven't forgot about your garden.

Do something with all those tomatoes ripening on the vine. Make pasta sauce or salsa and freeze it or can it for later. Homemade sauce pulled from the freezer is a great way to enjoy the fruit of your garden even in the middle of the winter...and you don't even have to go to the store.

Eat as much sweet corn and BLTs, and watermelon as you can.

Deadhead perennials as neccessary.

Head out into the great wide-open and experience the landscape beyond the back yard.

SEP

Plant late season garden crops such as lettuce and brocolli.

It's not too late for planting. September, in fact, is the ideal month in the Midlands for landscaping. It's usually not too hot or too wet. Perennials, shrubs and trees still have plenty of time to establish roots in the warm soil before winter without contending with the summer heat.

Take note of your landscape. If it looks worn out by this time of year, try adding ornamental grasses or other fall flowering perennials to achieve a greater balance throughout the growing season.

Make sure you get all you chores done early on Saturdays so you don't miss the Husker game!...or at least remember to turn on your radio...

OCT

Here come the leaves. Keep them cleared off of the lawn to prevent suffocating the grass, but don't get too bent out of shape by the mess... take in the colors and enjoy the season.. and leaves are free fertilizer.

Plant spring flowering bulbs such as tulips, alliums, and daffodils now.

Dig up Gladiola and Canna bulbs after the first frost and store indoors in a dry spot over the winter.

Don't forget to check your gutters and keep them clear.

NOV

Cut back vegetation in the landscape not desired for winter interest. Clear leaves from high-visibility areas of the landscape, but allow them to remain where they can provide a blanket of protection from winter winds. Mulch more heavily around tender shrubs and perennials.

Spray dormant oil on evergreens, especially rhododendrons for winter protection.

Don't forget to water. Too many people neglect to water the landscape after the days get cooler. Often sprinkler systems are shut down and the hoses are rolled up and we don't get enough precipitation. Give the garden a good long drink on one of those indian summer days before the ground freezes. Your evergreens will be especially grateful.

DEC

Set out bird feeders and keep them stocked. Don't forget a suet block for the woodpeckers.

Get out that list for Santa...if you don't need new gardening gloves by now, you didn't do a very good job keeping up on the chores...

So make a resolution that next year's garden will be the best ever.