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2-21-02
MARCH
If you're looking for a winter activity, attend
the Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show, Feb. 27 - March 3 at the Fort Wayne
Memorial Coliseum. Go to www.home-gardenshow.com
for more information.
Be sure to visit the Purdue University "Plant
Info to Go" display at the Indiana Flower and Patio Show, March 9-17,
at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.
HOME (Indoor plants and activities)
Begin fertilizing houseplants as new growth appears.
Keep spent leaves and flowers removed to improve appearance and encourage
more blooms.
Start garden seeds indoors for transplanting
outdoors later in spring.
Check stored bulbs and produce for decay; discard
damaged items.
Prune, repot and clean houseplants as needed.
YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)
Prune trees and shrubs, except those that bloom
early in spring, while plants are still dormant.
Plant new trees and shrubs as soon as soil dries
enough to be worked. Plant bare-root plants before they leaf out.
Fertilize woody plants before new growth begins,
but after soil temperatures have reached 40 F -- around early March
in southern Indiana and late March in northern Indiana.
Remove winter coverings from roses as soon as
new growth begins. Prune and fertilize as needed.
Apply superior oil spray to control scale insects
and mites when tips of leaves start to protrude from buds.
Seed bare spots in lawn.
Apply crabgrass preventer when grass starts active
growth in southern Indiana only; in northern and central Indiana wait
until April.
Rake the lawn to remove leaves, twigs and trash.
Begin mowing at about 3 inches once the lawn
reaches 3 1/2 - 4 inches tall.
GARDEN (Flowers, vegetables and small fruits)
Plant cool-season vegetables and flowers as soon
as the ground has dried enough to work. Do NOT work the soil while it
is wet; wait until it crumbles in your hand. If the soil forms a solid
ball when squeezed, it's still too wet.
Gradually harden off transplants by setting them
outdoors during the daytime for about a week before planting.
Follow last fall's soil test recommendations
for fertilizer and pH adjustment. It's not too late to test soil if
you missed last year.
Start seeds of warm-season vegetables and flowers
indoors; in northern and central Indiana, wait until the end of March
or early April. Transplant to the garden after danger of frost is past.
Watch for blooms of early spring bulbs, such
as daffodils, squill, crocus, dwarf iris and snowdrops.
Remove old asparagus and rhubarb tops, and sidedress
the plants with nitrogen or manure. Plant or transplant asparagus, rhubarb
and small fruit plants.
Remove winter mulch from strawberry beds as soon
as new growth begins, but keep the mulch nearby to protect against frost
and freezes.
Remove weak, diseased or damaged canes from raspberry
plants before new growth begins. Remove old fruiting canes if not removed
last year, and shorten remaining canes if necessary.
Prune grapevines.
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