Dormant plants respond well to winter pruning, which is less stressful in the absence of heat or drought.
RS Landscaping
It’s still cold outside, but if visions of spring already have you itching to get started in the garden, now is the time to clean off the pruning shears and head out to shape things up.

“Pruning deciduous trees and shrubs is ideal during the winter because it’s easier to see the form of the tree and branching structure without leaves,” according to a garden tip sheet sent by RS Landscaping in Midland Park. “The plants also respond well to being pruned at this time of year because they are not actively growing, and are less stressed due to heat or drought.”

I’m told by the experts at RS Landscaping that there are a few good weeks of dormancy left before there’s danger of making unhappy cuts that would trouble the trees and shrubs, but this weekend is not too early to begin. And if you didn’t prepare your pruning tools before storing them away last fall, be sure the blades are clean and sharp enough to cut without scaring any limbs.

RS Landscaping offers the following tips for a successful pre-spring garden shape-up. Following them will prepare deciduous plantings for spring, while helping the gardener get an early start.

* First, use hand pruners to prune dead or damaged branches to prevent infection. Pruning cuts should be made with hand pruners outside of the bark collar. This is the flared base where a branch meets the trunk. Next year, you might consider pruning throughout the the winter, depending on the amount of snow and ice damage to your plantings. Removing heavy snow from trees and shrubs is a good way to prevent damage in the first place.

* Next, look for crossing or tangled branches to remove. Crossing or touching branches can rub the bark away causing wounds that risk infections. To determine which branch should stay and which should go, look at the direction of the branches and decide which is more dominant. When pruning small branches up to the size of a pencil, it’s important to always use clean, sharp hand pruners. Cut as close to the next bud as possible and be sure the cut is angled.

Cuts should be angled to let water run off instead of sitting on a flat, open surface, says Jon Feldman, a project manage for RS Landscaping. When the pruning cut is not angled, water sits on the open wound, creeps in through the wood, causing rot and allowing fungus and insects to take residence. This can ultimately kill the tree, he says.
“The ultimate goals for pruning are to leave a tree healthier and more attractive.”

* Use hand pruners to remove weak, fast-growing branches called suckers and water sprouts. Suckers are whip-like branches that grow straight up from the truck of a tree, robbing it of nutrients. Pruning these before spring will ensure that the plant gets what it needs for optimum health.

* In addition to removing dead and tangled branches, you can also trim length from branches to clear walkways and paths, and reduce the chance of damage from snow load or ice. Remember to always cut back to the next branch. Leaving stubs is unsightly and unhealthy for the plant.

TOOL TALK

The two main types of pruners available are anvil or by-pass pruners. Anvil pruners cut by pushing a sharp blade against an “anvil” — a broad flat surface. By-pass pruners work more like scissors, slicing the stem between two sharp blades.

By-pass shears and by-pass loppers are recommended by pruning experts over the anvil type. They tend to make a cleaner cut, which promotes faster healing. Anvil pruners crush the stem, leave a ragged cut that will be slow to heal. However, they are useful for cutting back dead plant material, as when you’re cleaning up your perennials at the end of the season.

For more than 25 years, RS Landscaping has offered environmentally responsible, high-end service to residential, public and commercial properties in the areas of design/build, grounds maintenance, irrigation, lighting and plant health care.

Things may be a bit “off track” for the spring season. Keep an eye on the local weather before doing any major pruning and renovating. There is still potential for a late frost or freeze.

GENERAL GARDENING

March is the beginning of the spring gardening season in Flagler County, the time to get out, clean up all old and dead materials, mulch, and plant. Azaleas, pansies, petunias, dianthus, snapdragons and many other plants will be blooming.

If no rain, water once every seven to 10 days, putting down 1/2- to 3/4-inch of water each time. This is a good time to check the irrigation system for leaks, broken heads, settings and to make sure rain shut-off devices are working.

LAWN CARE

In mid-March apply fertilizer (16-4-8, 15-0-15, 10-4-10 or 8-2-12) with approximately 30 to 50 percent of the nitrogen in slow release form. Give it a light ( 1/4-inch) watering after application.

If you cut your own lawn, service your lawn mower. Change the oil, sharpen the blades and make sure to set the cutting height properly for the type grass that you have.

March is the last month that you can apply most herbicides for weeds safely. When the daily temperatures rise above 85 degrees, most of the available post-emergent herbicides can cause the grass to yellow and die. Read and follow label recommendations for proper application rates and frequency. Check the product carefully for any restrictions such as “Do not use on Floratam St. Augustinegrass,” etc.

FOOD GARDEN

Most gardens will produce better by amending soils with compost (organic matter). Do a soil pH test to determine acid/alkaline level.

Warm season vegetables can be planted: snap beans, pole beans, cantaloupe, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, green (bunching) onions, peppers, potatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and watermelons. Plant any seedlings started indoors in January and February. For more information on growing a vegetable garden go to: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021 to download a copy of the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide.

FRUIT TREES

Many citrus trees bloomed early this year. Blossoms may have gotten frost damage from the freezes in February, causing them to drop prior to pollination. They may bloom again. Do not spray anything on the trees until the blossoms drop and fruit begins to form.

If your citrus trees had scab (bumps on fruit and leaves) or melanose (a black speck on the foliage and streaking on fruit) in the past year, treat the entire tree (and any surrounding citrus trees) with basic copper sulfate solution two to three weeks after blossom drop and again after an additional two weeks. Follow label instructions for proper application rates.

Citrus Greening has spread through Flagler County since 2010. It is a disease vectored by an insect called the Asian Citrus Psyllid. Once the tree is inoculated with the bacteria, over time the foliage becomes discolored and blotchy, sections of the canopy start dying, fruit becomes small, bitter tasting and misshapen and seeds are aborted in the fruit. At this point, there is nothing you can treat it with to stop the tree from declining. It is recommended to remove the tree. To obtain additional information on what to do about Citrus Greening go to: http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/agriculture/citrus_greening.html or contact your local Extension Office and request a copy of HS1131 Dooryard Citrus Production: Citrus Greening Disease.

If you suspect a tree is suffering from Citrus Greening, bring in a sample (in a sealed plastic storage bag) to the extension office to have it examined or contact the Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Plant Industry Citrus Health Response Program 800-282-5153 for more information.

LANDSCAPE PLANTS

Bedding plants which can be planted: ageratum, alyssum, amaranthus, balsam, begonia, browallia, celosia, cosmos, coreopsis, dusty miller, exacum, gaillardia, gazania, geranium, impatiens, Marguerite daisy, marigold, pentas, phlox, rudbeckia, salvia, sweet William, thunbergia, torenia, verbena, vinca, and zinnia.

Fertilize palm trees with a balanced palm fertilizer containing 4 percent magnesium. Magnesium as Epsom salts can be applied at the same time as fertilizer if you are using fertilizer with lower levels of magnesium. It is easier to get the right ratio by buying it already in the bag. Magnesium sulfate will benefit most plants and will result in deeper shades of green.

Fertilize hibiscus, azaleas, roses, and poinsettias with a fertilizer containing the minor elements with a ratio of 3:1:2 (i.e., 12-4-8 Nitrogen — Phosphorous — Potassium). Approximately 50 percent of the nitrogen should be slow release.

Prune back poinsettias once colored bracts begin to wilt to approximately 1/3-1/2 the total size of the plant. These may be planted outdoors in a well-drained, sunny area. They are sensitive to the cold, so plant them in a protected site with a southern exposure. Poinsettias are heavy feeders, so fertilize often or use a slow release fertilizer.

The chance for a freeze is generally over by mid-March. So you can finally prune back the plants that have freeze damage. It can be a little while until new growth starts on damaged plants. One quick way to determine if a stem or branch is alive is to cut the limb and see if green is present. If all the leaves have fallen off, the branch is probably alive. If the leaves have stayed on the branch, it is a sign that the branch is dead. Prune plants as needed. Limit what is pruned to one-third of the total plant canopy size. Prune all dead branches, water sprouts and crossing branches. Shape plants to give them a pleasing appearance. DON’T LEAVE STUBS. Prune branches back to an outward facing bud, cut on a 45-degree angle. For more details on proper pruning go to http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg087 on the University of Florida EDIS publications website.

Did you know the Flagler County Master Gardeners wrote and published a book on gardening just for you? It is called “Guide to Successful Gardening in Zone 9A.” This book was created and geared for anyone living in zone 9A who wants to have a healthy landscape and garden. The book covers all areas of gardening and landscaping including planning a landscape, trees and shrubs, bedding plants, roses, lawns, vegetables and herbs, wildlife habitat, coastal area gardening and so much more. Each plant section has a very helpful plant list specific to zone 9A. So you know what will grow here rather than trial and error or wrong plant wrong place.

For information on where to purchase a copy, contact Ocean Publishing, 200 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach, at 386-517-1600 or pick up a copy at the Flagler County Extension office 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell, the cost is $24.95.

Things may be a bit “off track” for the spring season. Keep an eye on the local weather before doing any major pruning and renovating. There is still potential for a late frost or freeze.

GENERAL GARDENING

March is the beginning of the spring gardening season in Flagler County, the time to get out, clean up all old and dead materials, mulch, and plant. Azaleas, pansies, petunias, dianthus, snapdragons and many other plants will be blooming.

If no rain, water once every seven to 10 days, putting down 1/2- to 3/4-inch of water each time. This is a good time to check the irrigation system for leaks, broken heads, settings and to make sure rain shut-off devices are working.

LAWN CARE

In mid-March apply fertilizer (16-4-8, 15-0-15, 10-4-10 or 8-2-12) with approximately 30 to 50 percent of the nitrogen in slow release form. Give it a light ( 1/4-inch) watering after application.

If you cut your own lawn, service your lawn mower. Change the oil, sharpen the blades and make sure to set the cutting height properly for the type grass that you have.

March is the last month that you can apply most herbicides for weeds safely. When the daily temperatures rise above 85 degrees, most of the available post-emergent herbicides can cause the grass to yellow and die. Read and follow label recommendations for proper application rates and frequency. Check the product carefully for any restrictions such as “Do not use on Floratam St. Augustinegrass,” etc.

FOOD GARDEN

Most gardens will produce better by amending soils with compost (organic matter). Do a soil pH test to determine acid/alkaline level.

Warm season vegetables can be planted: snap beans, pole beans, cantaloupe, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, green (bunching) onions, peppers, potatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and watermelons. Plant any seedlings started indoors in January and February. For more information on growing a vegetable garden go to: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021 to download a copy of the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide.

FRUIT TREES

Many citrus trees bloomed early this year. Blossoms may have gotten frost damage from the freezes in February, causing them to drop prior to pollination. They may bloom again. Do not spray anything on the trees until the blossoms drop and fruit begins to form.

If your citrus trees had scab (bumps on fruit and leaves) or melanose (a black speck on the foliage and streaking on fruit) in the past year, treat the entire tree (and any surrounding citrus trees) with basic copper sulfate solution two to three weeks after blossom drop and again after an additional two weeks. Follow label instructions for proper application rates.

Citrus Greening has spread through Flagler County since 2010. It is a disease vectored by an insect called the Asian Citrus Psyllid. Once the tree is inoculated with the bacteria, over time the foliage becomes discolored and blotchy, sections of the canopy start dying, fruit becomes small, bitter tasting and misshapen and seeds are aborted in the fruit. At this point, there is nothing you can treat it with to stop the tree from declining. It is recommended to remove the tree. To obtain additional information on what to do about Citrus Greening go to: http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/agriculture/citrus_greening.html or contact your local Extension Office and request a copy of HS1131 Dooryard Citrus Production: Citrus Greening Disease.

If you suspect a tree is suffering from Citrus Greening, bring in a sample (in a sealed plastic storage bag) to the extension office to have it examined or contact the Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Plant Industry Citrus Health Response Program 800-282-5153 for more information.

LANDSCAPE PLANTS

Bedding plants which can be planted: ageratum, alyssum, amaranthus, balsam, begonia, browallia, celosia, cosmos, coreopsis, dusty miller, exacum, gaillardia, gazania, geranium, impatiens, Marguerite daisy, marigold, pentas, phlox, rudbeckia, salvia, sweet William, thunbergia, torenia, verbena, vinca, and zinnia.

Fertilize palm trees with a balanced palm fertilizer containing 4 percent magnesium. Magnesium as Epsom salts can be applied at the same time as fertilizer if you are using fertilizer with lower levels of magnesium. It is easier to get the right ratio by buying it already in the bag. Magnesium sulfate will benefit most plants and will result in deeper shades of green.

Fertilize hibiscus, azaleas, roses, and poinsettias with a fertilizer containing the minor elements with a ratio of 3:1:2 (i.e., 12-4-8 Nitrogen — Phosphorous — Potassium). Approximately 50 percent of the nitrogen should be slow release.

Prune back poinsettias once colored bracts begin to wilt to approximately 1/3-1/2 the total size of the plant. These may be planted outdoors in a well-drained, sunny area. They are sensitive to the cold, so plant them in a protected site with a southern exposure. Poinsettias are heavy feeders, so fertilize often or use a slow release fertilizer.

The chance for a freeze is generally over by mid-March. So you can finally prune back the plants that have freeze damage. It can be a little while until new growth starts on damaged plants. One quick way to determine if a stem or branch is alive is to cut the limb and see if green is present. If all the leaves have fallen off, the branch is probably alive. If the leaves have stayed on the branch, it is a sign that the branch is dead. Prune plants as needed. Limit what is pruned to one-third of the total plant canopy size. Prune all dead branches, water sprouts and crossing branches. Shape plants to give them a pleasing appearance. DON’T LEAVE STUBS. Prune branches back to an outward facing bud, cut on a 45-degree angle. For more details on proper pruning go to http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg087 on the University of Florida EDIS publications website.

Did you know the Flagler County Master Gardeners wrote and published a book on gardening just for you? It is called “Guide to Successful Gardening in Zone 9A.” This book was created and geared for anyone living in zone 9A who wants to have a healthy landscape and garden. The book covers all areas of gardening and landscaping including planning a landscape, trees and shrubs, bedding plants, roses, lawns, vegetables and herbs, wildlife habitat, coastal area gardening and so much more. Each plant section has a very helpful plant list specific to zone 9A. So you know what will grow here rather than trial and error or wrong plant wrong place.

For information on where to purchase a copy, contact Ocean Publishing, 200 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach, at 386-517-1600 or pick up a copy at the Flagler County Extension office 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell, the cost is $24.95.

WINFIELD — Last week, Kim Clark painted in an unusual spot.

With palette in hand, Clark toiled inside a storage room owned by Absolute Landscape Turf Services in Winfield.

Clark created backdrops reminiscent of scenes from the Disney classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” She is part of a unique partnership between artist and business creating an elaborate landscaped garden.

With Clark’s help, Winfield-based Absolute Landscape Turf Services are entering one of 16 fully-landscaped gardens based on a movie during the Maryland Home Garden Show taking place the next two weekends at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.

The Maryland Home Garden Show features more than 300 home improvement exhibitors offering tips on everything from storage solutions to garden preparations for the spring. It opens from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and is also open from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. March 3, 9 and 10 and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. March 9.

The Maryland Orchid Society Show and Sale and the Bonsai Show and Sale take place during the second weekend of the Home Garden Show. More than 125 craftspeople will be on hand both weekends.

Landscape businesses were able to pick a movie to create themed gardens. Absolute Landscape chose the popular fairy tale “Snow White” and are creating a scene designed to be straight out of the Disney cartoon.

They have created the front of the cottage where the Dwarfs lived and also incorporated a fireplace, a small stream pond, stone walkways and murals painted by Clark.

The cottage is a massive undertaking, one that will need to be moved in parts from Winfield to Timonium. 

“There’s a lot more going into it than even what I expected initially,” Absolute Landscape’s Matt Sabine said. “For sure, a lot creativity is being put towards it.”

While the cottage is designed to look like a home for Snow White’s dwarfs, it’s designed with an entryway all visitors to the Home Garden show would be able to enter.

The Absolute Landscape designers wanted visitors to understand how their landscaping designs and products could apply outside their homes, Clark said.

Naturally, the landscapers will likely get competitive with their designs, hoping to outdo one another, Sabine said. 

“The Secret Garden,” “Mulan,” “Jurassic Park,” “Lord of the Rings” and “Under the Tuscan Sun” are among the movies picked out by participating landscape businesses.

“Last year we had a books theme,” Maryland Home Garden Show producer Jay Plummer said. “That went so well that we decided to go with movies. People really seemed to like that last year.”

So often in landscaping, businesses are given a specific blueprint by the customer that they must adhere to.

When creating the custom movie-inspired designs, landscapers were given a unique freedom to tap into their creativity. Setting up at home shows is nothing new for them, but the chance to focus on a specific them is unique, Sabine said.

“When you come into this arena, it’s completely different,” he said. “You’re following a theme, so you get to add onto that.”

WINFIELD — Last week, Kim Clark painted in an unusual spot.

With palette in hand, Clark toiled inside a storage room owned by Absolute Landscape Turf Services in Winfield.

Clark created backdrops reminiscent of scenes from the Disney classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” She is part of a unique partnership between artist and business creating an elaborate landscaped garden.

With Clark’s help, Winfield-based Absolute Landscape Turf Services are entering one of 16 fully-landscaped gardens based on a movie during the Maryland Home Garden Show taking place the next two weekends at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.

The Maryland Home Garden Show features more than 300 home improvement exhibitors offering tips on everything from storage solutions to garden preparations for the spring. It opens from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and is also open from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. March 3, 9 and 10 and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. March 9.

The Maryland Orchid Society Show and Sale and the Bonsai Show and Sale take place during the second weekend of the Home Garden Show. More than 125 craftspeople will be on hand both weekends.

Landscape businesses were able to pick a movie to create themed gardens. Absolute Landscape chose the popular fairy tale “Snow White” and are creating a scene designed to be straight out of the Disney cartoon.

They have created the front of the cottage where the Dwarfs lived and also incorporated a fireplace, a small stream pond, stone walkways and murals painted by Clark.

The cottage is a massive undertaking, one that will need to be moved in parts from Winfield to Timonium. 

“There’s a lot more going into it than even what I expected initially,” Absolute Landscape’s Matt Sabine said. “For sure, a lot creativity is being put towards it.”

While the cottage is designed to look like a home for Snow White’s dwarfs, it’s designed with an entryway all visitors to the Home Garden show would be able to enter.

The Absolute Landscape designers wanted visitors to understand how their landscaping designs and products could apply outside their homes, Clark said.

Naturally, the landscapers will likely get competitive with their designs, hoping to outdo one another, Sabine said. 

“The Secret Garden,” “Mulan,” “Jurassic Park,” “Lord of the Rings” and “Under the Tuscan Sun” are among the movies picked out by participating landscape businesses.

“Last year we had a books theme,” Maryland Home Garden Show producer Jay Plummer said. “That went so well that we decided to go with movies. People really seemed to like that last year.”

So often in landscaping, businesses are given a specific blueprint by the customer that they must adhere to.

When creating the custom movie-inspired designs, landscapers were given a unique freedom to tap into their creativity. Setting up at home shows is nothing new for them, but the chance to focus on a specific them is unique, Sabine said.

“When you come into this arena, it’s completely different,” he said. “You’re following a theme, so you get to add onto that.”