Spring Fever

Depending on where in the world you live, you may be experiencing spring fever. Where I live, it is a balmy 50 degrees, and I have been itching to get out in the yard.

One thing that I have learned over the years is that gardening starts in March, not May, and it is easier to keep up than catch up.

Now is the best time to pull out grass and weeds around perennials and roses before they fill in.

I find that consistently spending time in my yard is rejuvenating and meditative, and if I do it often, it is easier to keep up with all that needs to be done in the yard.

This is what I have been working on this week in my yard.

Pruning Roses.

This is a great video by Utah State University that teaches the basics of pruning roses.  Here are the highlights.

1. Focus more on what you want to keep than what to prune.

2. Look for 4 – 6 well spaced canes that are growing out that are about as big around as your finger and have good buds on them.

3. Remove discolored / dead canes, remove canes in the center of plant.

1. Prune to about 18-24 inches off the ground.

2. Clip above a bud that is growing out.

Pruning Apple Tree

Here is another great video by Utah State University along with the highlights.

Step 1:

1. 3-4 lower main branches

2. 2-3 feet vertical spacing

3. 3-4 upper main branches

4. Remove central leader

Step 2:

1. Apples grow on spurs

2. Formed on 2+ year-old wood

3. Don’t remove fruiting spurs

Step 3:

Prune to let the light in