As we start our efforts to conquer our yards, landscaping, and gardens this long weekend, let us stop to remember why.
Many of us create gardens to honor those who have fought in wars and conflicts to make our country what it is today. Many of us create gardens to honor loved ones that are no longer with us. Many of us create gardens just because we are proud to bring beauty to others. Whatever the reason, as we try to cram three weeks of delayed gardening into three days, let us remember that in this country we are allowed to make it beautiful.
Saturday morning of Memorial Day weekend usually starts with surveying what needs to be done and figuring out what tools and supplies we are going to need besides the lawn mower and weed whacker. If family and friends are expected on Saturday for a relaxing day of food and conversation, you’re already a few days behind, so just stick with the lawn mower.
Don’t scalp your lawn! The best length to keep your grass is 2 to 3 inches high, which helps retain moisture and helps to smother the weeds. By the time your guests arrive your “play” area will be nicely mowed, and by the time your guests leave it really won’t matter what the rest of your landscaping looks like after food and fun.
If you’re lucky, and don’t have guests arriving until Memorial Day, you have a chance to get into more gardening activities. You’ll probably have time to spruce up your garden mulch. If you put it on thick enough to start with, (at least 3 to 4 inches), you should be able to “fluff” it with a rake to exposed the original color of your mulch and give it a fresh look. If it’s been awhile since you last added mulch, now is the time to add some more BEFORE your plants get so big that it’s hard to get the mulch under them.
In addition to taking care of your mulch, you’ll probably have time to take a look at your evergreens to see if there is any life below the winter burn, (that’s the brown stuff at the end of the branches that makes it look like it’s dying). If you can see green, cut back the brown and expose the green. It may take a little time, but it’s worth not having to dig up the bush/tree, roots and all and replace it with another. If you don’t see any green by June 10 — get it out, it’s not coming back. If you plan on replanting an evergreen, try not to plant it in exactly the same spot, as it will take some time for the roots that you can’t get out a bit of time to break down.
Now if you have any time left over after mowing, mulching, and pruning, you can always start on adding some annuals or perennials to your landscape. If you live any place where deer have been seen, just make sure that you plant deer resistant plants, (dusty millers, cosmos, sages, coneflowers, and thyme are just a few examples). Check out the UW-Extension Learning Store website for more information and deer-resistant plants. Remember, deer-resistant doesn’t mean that deer won’t eat a particular plant, it just means that they like that plant less over a larger majority. It’s a little like rabbits. If you have rabbits in your yard and also a vegetable garden, don’t try get rid of your dandelions. Rabbits prefer dandelions over lettuce and other garden vegetables.
So take the time to enjoy your Memorial weekend, gardening or partying, have a safe weekend, and keep the green side up.
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