A need for feed: The spring freeze last year makes fertilizer a necessity in the garden this year

Joann, a cohort for more than 20 years, just got back from Florida. Her comment was, "It's spring down there. When will it get here?" I think the recent snow, coupled with this weekend's warmup, have us all in the mood for spring.

Joann, the answer to your question is "Spring is just around the corner." I know my answer sounds trite, but I want to focus on this answer because of the spring we had last year.

If you remember, last spring was warm in March, and then the cold, subfreezing temperatures hit us in April. The damage was significant. Grape yields, along with peaches, apples, etc. were much smaller than normal. Many ornamental plants were also hurt with the cold spell.

I know we saw significant and obvious damage to many plants last spring. What I want to focus on is the not so obvious. I think that it will take one to three more years for us to really know what effect those cold spring temperatures of 2007 had on trees, shrubs, vines and brambles.

Reducing the damage

Making a fertilizer available for plants in the spring may reduce the effects of any damage that may have occurred last spring. (Fred Lynch)

With that in mind, I would suggest that you make every effort to fertilize all of your woody landscape and garden plants this spring. Making a fertilizer available for your plants in the spring may reduce the effects of any damage that may have occurred last spring.

Woody plants produce a growth spurt in the spring of the year. It behooves the gardener to have as many nutrients available at this time of the year for plant usage. If the nutrients are not available then growth still occurs, but at a slower rate. Plants will survive, but not necessarily thrive.

I know that spring is still a few weeks away. But if you are suffering from cabin fever and want to make sure that your investment in trees, shrubs, vines and brambles is protected, plan on making a fertilizer application to these plants this spring.

Choosing a mix

For your fruiting vines and trees use a fertilizer such as a 19-10-5 with micronutrients including zinc. Use label directions on the bag to determine the quantity per plant that you need to apply. You can use this same fertilizer for all of your other trees and shrubs, or you can use one that has a slightly different nutrient ratio, 19-8-10 with micronutrients.

I would make these applications in February or at the latest March, in order to have all of these nutrients available for uptake and use this spring. In addition, I would think about making another application in August in order to help woody plants through the next fall and winter season.

I know most gardeners do not think about fertilizing trees and shrubs every spring. Because of the extent of the potential damage plants suffered in the region during the spring of 2007, I think you should consider making fertilizer applications to the woody plants in your landscape and garden this spring and in the next spring or two just to protect your investment.

Send your gardening and landscape questions to Paul Schnare at P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699 or by e-mail to news@semissourian.com.<I>