IT'S TIME TO GET READY FOR GROWING SEASON

If the crocus are up, can the jonquils be far behind?

They and the hyacinths and the tulips and the scilla and the dwarf iris. Then the whole blooming bunch of flowers on into summer.

Well, the crocus purple, blue, yelow, white and assorted other colors are splotching the landscape in singles and clumps.

Harbingers of spring? You bet.

Along with our crocus we found a clump of Violet Beauty Reticulata, a variety of Rock Garden Iris, in a south bed, their purple tongues marked with white, hugging the ground.

Nestled against the south foundation are three clumps of jonquils heavy with buds. These may have trumpets before you read this, our first daffodils of the year, brought on by the recent lengthy spell of warm weather.

Almost all of the bulbing plants now have broken ground. The period of warm weather lent encouragement to this early outpouring of spring.

Don't let the colder nights that have followed concern you. It won't hurt the bulbs or plants that have come forth. They are conditioned to the temperature change. Do not add mulch, but do not remove that which now protects them, either. Remember, we can have single and double digit temperatures well into March.

Now is the time to get away from the chair and go outside for work that needs to be done for your growing things.

Take advantage of mild days to prune fruits trees, berries and grapes. House plants also need attention on those cold days when being outside is too uncomfortable.

Both apple and peach trees should be pruned while they still are dormant. Ray Rothenberger, professor of horticulture at the University of Missouri, notes that young trees should be pruned less than older ones. He recommends that 10 to 20 per cent of the wood be removed from fruiting sized peach trees.

Peaches produce flowers and fruit on one-year-old wood, so it is important that a sufficient number of last year's growth be kept for current year's production. At the same time, pruning of cross limbs, removal of diseased or damaged wood and interior limbs to allow light is necessary. Tops and ends of major limbs should be pruned off.

Apple trees can be a challenge. They grow larger. If old and filled with unpruned limbs, a great number of limbs must be removed. The interior should be cleaned of unneeded branches. All watersprouts (straight, clean shoots) should be cleaned out. Keep four or five major branches. Cut out the others. Remove dead or diseased branches.

An apple tree can take heavy pruning though be judicious on young trees. The center of the tree should be open to allow light inside for growth. Note that apple trees in commercial orchards have a "flat top" look. Don't take out much two-year-old wood. This is where the apples grow.

Now, as to houseplants. Lengthening days bring on new growth. Many plants need a good washing with warm water and a pure soap to remove accumulated dust. Plants can be repotted now. Do not overfeed. Most foliage plants do not need fertilizer until they begin active growth. Flowering plants, such as African violets, do need regular feeding, however.

Some plants may show leaf damage. This can be from many causes. Broadly, the solution to leaf damage is improvement of the environment. Aim at more uniform watering, better light, higher humidity and carefully controlled fertilization.

Geranium cuttings can be started late this month for April or May planting. Cuttings for impatiens, Swedish ivy, English ivy, coleus or other basket plants for the new season may also be started.

It's time to get busy for another growing season.