March & April in the Garden

The Weather has been up and down, not consistent. As the saying goes “Don’t Plant Tomatoes in April.” The chance of frost is still prevalent. For those of us that got excited too early, might be dealing with frost bitten buds and leaves. Throwing a sheet over the plants that you want to protect, can mitigate any damage.

The soil is still cool, so now is the time we want to plant bigger items like trees and shrubs. The reason behind this is, that the root structures of trees and shrubs acclimate more easily, and require less watering. Planting flowering trees, like redbuds or dogwoods, while they are still dormant, allows their Spring time blooms to be the center of attention.

Making any outdoor space feel magical. While planting, please be considerate to not disturb any pollinators that might be hibernating.

Summer annual and perennial plants are starting to arrive at local nurseries. It is important to mention that while we are buying plants, to consider going to locally owned and operated nurseries. Not only are we supporting our communities, we are getting a better quality product, with less herbicides and insecticides. Big box nurseries only sell a few varieties, and are usually more expensive. Also Consider looking for local plant sales. Universities and non-profit organizations offer great varieties, and proceeds go to great causes.

Wildlife is also more active this time of year. If your landscape has the essential habitat, food, and water you should expect to see them or signs of them. Snakes are the biggest concern for residents out in the yard cleaning up. I like to reassure my clients that they are more afraid of you. Watch your feet when you are walking around to avoid accidentally stepping on one. Make a lot of noise before you start clearing brush and logs. This should scare them away before you have a face to face encounter. If you do encounter a snake, PLEASE do not kill it. They are a huge benefit to the ecosystem, controlling rodent populations. In the piedmont of North Carolina the copperhead is the most venomous snake. Not many people die from snake bites. The snakes we often encounter are black rat snakes or king snakes. They are NON-venomous and have huge benefits! Call Custom Natives before you kill a snake. We will come personally with tongs and protective gear to remove and relocate, free of charge!

If you are having trouble planning or seeing your vision. Contact Custom Natives Landscapes to discuss design options!