We have been getting so much snow lately, it seems like winter will never end. I can’t help but get excited about getting back in the garden, though, every time we have a sunny day. While spring isn’t officially here until the 20th, and continued snowstorms are always a possibility, there are still a few things we can do in the garden to prepare for the growing season ahead.

Preparing for Spring

If you didn’t do it last month, make sure to prune your fruit trees and shrubs—you’ll want to get this done before things start budding out. There’s also still time to spray your trees and shrubs with dormant oil to tackle any bugs that have been overwintering in them. Have a look around your yard and garden too for weeds that might be starting to pop up. Try to pull them up while they’re still small and before they really start to take hold. Make sure you use a pre-emergent now too if you didn’t do so in February.

Gardening Tips for March: Planting

March is also an exciting time in the garden because it’s very possible you might be able to start planting. Once the soil is workable, you can start planting your favorite cool-season crops straight in the ground. Think carrots, peas, lettuce, cabbage, onions, and more! Make sure to amend all of your garden beds with some compost or fertilizer as well. This will give your plants the extra boost they need to grow strong and healthy.

I hope these gardening tips for March help you check some things off your to-do list. In addition, for more information on what you can do in the garden in March, check out this article from The Spruce. For additional Northern Nevada planting resources, be sure to check out some of our local nurseries. One of my favorites is Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City. Spring will officially be here this month!

P.S. Did you miss February’s gardening tips? Click here to get caught up.

Yes, it’s still winter, but there are always things you can do in your garden, no matter what month it is! Below you will find a few gardening tips for February.

If you haven’t ordered your seeds yet, be sure to do so now. You’ll start seeing them in the big box stores now, so make sure to get the varieties you want before stocks start to dwindle.

Just like January, you should typically make sure to water your trees and shrubs again if we don’t receive 1″ of rainfall or 1′ of snow. However, we still have a pretty good blanket of snow, so you should be good there.

Now is also a great time to prune your fruit trees, ornamental grasses, and summer-flowering shrubs (if they’re not covered in snow). First, though, make sure you sharpen and sterilize your pruning shears. And hold off on pruning your spring-flowering shrubs (lilacs, forsythia, snowball bushes, etc) until after they bloom.  

If you want to get a head-start on your vegetable garden, according to Rodale’s Organic Life, you can start a few winter items indoors: “Under fluorescent lights, start seeds of onions and leeks at the beginning of the month [and] near the end of the month, start seeds of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts…”

I hope these gardening tips for February help you check some things off your to-do list. In addition, for more February tips, check out this article from the Spruce. For additional Northern Nevada planting resources, be sure to check out some of our local nurseries. One of my favorites is Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City. Spring will be here before we know it!

P.S. Did you miss January’s gardening tips? Click here to get caught up.

Happy New Year! It’s hard to think about gardening in January when it’s often bitterly cold outside and all the plants are taking their winter slumber. Still, though, for us garden lovers, there’s always something that we can do:

• Planting your live Christmas tree. You would preferably want to do this on a sunny day so the soil isn’t quite as hard.
• Making sure to water your trees and shrubs if we haven’t received 1″ of rain or 12″ of snow for the month (I’d say we’re covered this month!). I know it’s a pain to drag out your hose in the cold, but your plants will love you for it come springtime.
• You can also use this downtime to inventory your seed bank, such as getting rid of old seeds and ordering new ones. By getting a head start on ordering your seeds, you’ll be sure to get the varieties you want.

Also, don’t forget to set some food and water out for the birds. It’s a nice way to attract some wildlife to your yard. Plus if they stick around come springtime, you’ll have some natural insect control, so it’s a win-win!

I hope these gardening tips for January help you check some things off your to-do list. For additional Northern Nevada planting resources, be sure to check out some of our local nurseries. One of my favorites is Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City.

P.S. Did you miss December’s gardening tips? Click here to get caught up.