Getting Perennials Ready For Spring
 (Read 500+ times)
By Glory Lennon
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The wonderful thing about perennials is they pretty much take care of themselves. Every good gardener knows this. Perennials know instinctively when it is safe for them to emerge from their long winter’s nap. They shoot up amongst the leaves, stalks and other garden debris that may have accumulated on top of them. Some of them even start all this before we gardeners are really willing to set foot outside. In some parts of this country spring isn’t spring until it’s nearly summer. That just means it’s still rather cool out in the garden. But, of course, not for some hardy and eager perennials!
Surely, however, there must be something we gardeners can do to get our perennials ready for spring and here they are.
Clean Up.
While many perennials do well without you fussing over them they do tend to look better, perform better and grow happier with a fresh clean slate. Knowing this it would behoove the gardener to clean things up a bit. Rake up leaves, take up old stalks and seed heads and take away dead branches from in and around your perennials. Any old vegetation should be cut back to make room for the fresh new growth. In the case of ornamental grass leave about 6 inches. All this organic stuff can then be placed in a compost pile and your flower beds will look that much more tidy.
Wanted : Alive not Dead.
Things happen even death. If you suspect a plant has not made it through the winter think again. It could be they are simply taking their sweet time. They know best, despite how much you think you know. Plants can surprise you and come back weeks perhaps a month after you have given up on them. However if you know for certain it is dead then out it must come. This leaves you room for more plants (Yippy!). In the case of non- herbaceous perennials like Tree Peonies, trees and shrubs only cut back what is clearly dead. To check simply scrape a tiny piece of wood until you see green. Don’t cut below that and the plant will re-sprout good as new.
Uncover.
While many perennials can easily withstand the brunt of the cold, harsh, winter months without extra protection there are others that need it, usually in the way of a thick mulch or some other protective devise. Assuming you have some of these more tender and delicate plants in your perennial borders you may have placed a temporary extra mulch of dried leaves over them or perhaps boughs from your Christmas tree. Though you may think as soon as it is Spring is the safe time to remove this extra protection it may be better to wait until your last frost date. If these fragile plants have made it through the winter, which for some plants is a miracle in itself, then it would benefit them to get a bit more time under cover before let loose in the still cool and sometimes unpredictable spring weather.
Rebirth.
Some folks, those unfortunates who love Roses and yet live in a virtually inhospitable place (Zones 1-5 in particular) may have buried their roses completely. While this works well to preserve them through winter it can be quite a mess to clean back up. Once the weather warms however is when they should get their rebirth. Unearth them, replant them and clean them up. All is well in the rose garden again.
Dividing.
Perennials do the gardener the great favor of multiplying year after year. This is good for those who want to expand their flower beds on the cheap or who like to share their garden’s bounty. Spring is therefore the best time to do this. They have only just started growing so there will be less stress for them. So get out the sharp edged shovel, garden saw or knife and split away. Replant these lovely new additions in your perennial border expanding it, make another flower bed all together or better yet give to someone who may be willing to give you a piece of one of their recently divided perennials which you may not have yet.
Feeding.
After such a long time in dormancy, perennials are rather starved, skinny and weak, much like a bear coming out of hibernation. What is the first thing a starving bear looks for? You got it, food. A good feeding of compost spread around the roots of your perennial plants will give them a boost. If you don’t want to go organic (For shame!) You can grab your commercial brand, all- purpose liquid stuff and do the same. A good feeding to all your plants will encourage growth and replenish nutrients in the soil.
Mulch.
Though some folks prefer to mulch everything in the fall for the protection of roots from cold, it is equally important to mulch in spring. Mulching in spring not only brings a fresh, new, finished look to the garden but also is going to be of great service to your perennials when the weather warms considerably, like in the blazing, hot summer time when water is at a premium. You may live in such a place where the use of water is restricted and mulch may be the only thing standing between you and a landscape that isn’t going to wilt, shrivel up and die in the scorching heat. Mulch helps the soil retain moisture and keep roots cool. Plus it suppresses weeds. Don’t you just love mulch?
So, think you got all that? There is much to be done in spring even for carefree, easygoing, hardy perennials. Now that you know what they are get outside and start. They’re not going to take care of it themselves you know!
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Author Bio Box: Glory Lennon
 For amusing short stories visit http://www.helium.com/users/32782. For an intriguing novelette-in-progress visit: http://www.myspace.com/glorygarden.
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