Spring is in the air. It might be February, but if we look carefully, fruit trees are blooming, daffodils are shooting up through the soil and dandelions are among the first flowers (or weeds) to push up through the cracks in the sidewalk.
Local cherry trees are blooming with white blossoms so fragile that they fall gently to the ground when the tree boughs are shaken.
In many gardeners’ front yards, daffodils and crocus are popping up in great abandon. A fellow gardener told me: “The bulbs have an inner knowledge so that they can tell just when is the perfect time to push their little heads through the soil. It’s like an inner voice that tells the bulb just when it’s time to start its new life.”
SIGNS OF SPRING
I took a trip to Armstrong Garden Centers in Carlsbad, which always has a great display of annuals ready to go in the ground. One of my favorite early spring flowers are pansies, and their bright little faces beamed at the entrance of the garden center.
The shelves were filled with over a dozen varieties, ranging in color from yellow to purple and blue. This little annual will help fill in your flower or herb bed right now, so buy enough six-packs to fill your front yard of window boxes.
EARLY SPRING BULBS
The excitement of the arrival of early spring bulbs is similar to the arrival of a new model of your favorite car.
While visiting the garden center, huge boxes of spring bulbs had just arrived from Holland and the staff and I almost jumped up and down as if Christmas Day was upon us.
Spring bulbs come in over 50 varieties, so read the labels to choose those compatible in height and light conditions.
A good project for beginners is to create a dahlia garden, using at least two of these tubers, the “dinner plate” variety and a medium-size “magic carpet” or “pompon.”
HOW TO PLANT DAHLIAS
Chose a well-drained, sunny site. Dahlias need warm weather, so wait until nighttime temperatures are at least 55 degrees. For a full display, follow the planting directions below, leaving at least 1 foot between the groups.
For tallest varieties, dig a hole 1 foot deep by 1 foot wide. Work ¼ cup of bulb fertilizer (9-9-6) into the bottom of the hole. Drive a 5-foot stake into the bottom of the hole, since the stake supports the plant as it grows. Set one tuberous root in the bottom of the hole with the stem end facing up. Spread the roots like the hands of a clock. Cover with 3 inches of soil and water thoroughly. As the shoots grow, gradually fill in the soil. When they are 6 inches tall, thin out all but one or two of the shoots.
At this point, you can add a shorter variety such as “pompon.” Place two tubers in the same hole as your large variety. Place on top of the soil that has been added in the same manner as with the larger variety. Cover with soil and water thoroughly, and gradually fill in the soil as the shoots emerge. When 3 inches tall, thin out all but four of the shoots.
The display of dahlias will last all summer as you continue to pinch out the growing tip above the last set of leaves to promote bushy growth.
Fertilize the plants monthly with bulb fertilizer. Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Cut blossoms frequently to bring indoors for a delightful summer display.
ENDLESS BOUNTY OF SPRING BULBS
All of our local garden centers will have a fresh display of spring bulbs, so look for caladium, African lilies, lily-of-the-valley, anemones, gladiolus and amaryllis. Armstrong staff member Susan E. Diviak was my guide in supplying our bulb planting information.
Armstrong Garden Centers‘ Carlsbad location is at 5702 Paseo Del Norte.
Jano Nightingale is a Master Gardener who teaches at the Pine Avenue Park Community Garden in Carlsbad. Contact her at [email protected].
