Podcast: Play in new window
Spring is tiptoeing in and we want to set you up for the smoothest garden year ever. This week we’re recording live on location in Erin’s garden and examining what tasks she has already done, what’s next on the list, and what pressures to let go of. (Remember: don’t let perfect be the enemy of good!)
The first order of business as winter ends is to prune woody fruit-producing perennials. We chat about currants, apples, and grapes—yes, grapes in zone 4b. Naturally that leads into propagation: cuttings, mound layering, and even air layering. Next we talk seed starting indoors and out and the season extension that helps us save space on our windowsills. Then it’s on to spring bulbs to plant, fall bulbs that are blooming, water management (if you’re listening from a region with flooding, our hearts go out to you!) and the ever-vital skill of observation. Finally, we wrap up with a lightning round of fifteen other early-spring tasks that get you set up for success.
Ready to get your hands dirty? Listen now!
Take a Peek at Erin’s Garden
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Credits
Website Design and Illustration by Sophia Alladin
Intro and Outro Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/when-my-ukulele-plays
License code: GWOIMMBAS15FG6PH
Timestamps
00:41 Introduction
02:11 The Myth That Your Garden Is Already Behind
04:18 Late April in Zone 4b
04:58 What Erin Has Done So Far
05:56 Season Extension
06:36 Growing Swenson Red Grapes in Zone 4b
10:52 Pruning Currant Bushes
12:45 Mound Layering: Intentional or Unintentional Propagation
14:00 Apple Trees and Winter Damage
15:46 Propagating Fruit Tree Cuttings
17:28 Air Layering to Propagate Fruit Trees
20:28 Sean’s Paean to Crabapples
24:54 Starting Seeds Indoors and Hardening Off
27:13 Starting Seeds When You Have No Indoor Space
32:50 Use Up This Year’s Seed Inventory
33:53 Bulbs to Plant in Spring
35:00 Fall Bulbs and the Siberian Squill Controversy
39:35 Native Lawn Alternatives
42:32 Water Harvesting and Rain Gardens
45:37 Observing Your Garden
47:41 Lightning Round: Things To Do at This Time of Year
53:53 Outro and Contact Us
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