Spring is starting to spring

STEVE KAWARATANI

“And in green underwood and cover

Blossom by blossom the spring begins.”

--Algernon Charles Swinburne

“A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday but

never remembers her age.”

--Robert Frost

Spring is in the air in Laguna ... a time for green growth and

blossoms. It is nearing the end of winter and words like dormant

spray and bare root roses return to the horticultural lexicon until

next year. Fertilize everything ... shrubs, trees, perennials and the

lawn. This is the season of rapid growth, and adding extra nutrients

will enhance the beauty of your plants.

Subtle signs of the change in the seasons are appearing throughout

Laguna. Deciduous trees, like the sycamore and crape myrtle, are

beginning to leaf out under clearing skies, and Catharine’s Mutabilis

rose has already begun to display its bountiful blooms.

About the only major problem a gardener may face is dodging the

continuing storms, which have left planting areas soggy. However, if

you still have bare root roses in plastic bags, they must be planted

soon (this weekend would be good). This also applies to berries, Maui

onions, and the remaining spring bulbs taking up space in the fridge.

Of course, the planting of tomatoes and herbs needn’t be hurried;

chilly nights may still be lurking, as the days still belong to

February. If you plant too early, your plants may be lost to the

cold. Be patient and your crops will arrive just a little later. Of

course, there is always the rush to see who has the first homegrown

tomato.

The advantages of planting in mid-February are obvious... longer

days and warmer sunlight. Once in the ground, plants have a full

season’s growth before they enter their first winter. But sometimes,

due to other imperative spring work (like taxes), it is simply

impossible to complete all of your garden plans. Relax, this is

Laguna and we can plant the year around!

The azaleas and camellias were particularly lovely this winter and

are now reaching their peak flowering period. Old camellia flowers

should be raked up and destroyed to prevent flower blight next

season. Once all of the blooms are spent, fertilize both plants with

a complete fertilizer for acid loving plants. Finally, mulch the

shade beds with azalea mix, peat moss, or leaf mold.

Almost lost in the flurry of late-winter horticulture was a

birthday greeting to Suzanne. I sometimes hesitate in writing, due to

her skepticism of the printed word. I discovered that rather than

waiting for congratulatory calls, Suzanne spent her morning on the

trail, celebrating the beautiful skies, snow-capped San Gabriels, and

the abundance of wildflowers in our local hills. It must be getting

close to spring. See you next time.

* Steve Kawaratani is happily married to local writer, Catharine

Cooper, and has two cats. He can be reached at 949.497.2438, or

E-mail to [email protected] work.com.