Spring Gardening - April is go time!

[@rachaelk8358]

Holly is so pretty sitting in the garden. Thanks for another great video Jim. I always appreciate your content.

[@katiekane5247]

Garden Princess!

[@gray_f]

I LOVE how you are always encouraging people to think about the native plants, pollinators and wildlife! You are one of the few...maybe the only one that really encourages people to do so! Keep doing what you're doing!!!

[@mitch1352]

5b here and today I got started cleaning out my front garden of leaves and dead annuals. Pruned my woody herbaceous shrubs like lavender, sage and thyme, and pruned the mini rose that went crazy during the warm autumn last year. The spring bulbs that I planted in the fall are all sprouting, along with the Iris. The dianthus' apparently just remained green under the snow, and are ready to kick off lol. The creeping garden thyme is already greening up. I sprinkled oriental poppy seeds last summer from a friend's garden, and I have a very robust rosette, just ready to make a show, and be the introduction to my garden - one of my favourites!. I'm in Ontario, Canada and this is a front yard cottage garden that I started last year. I'm so excited to see everything come to life, and take on it's own new personality!!

[@stephaniestewart9396]

Love seeing Holly and Griffin in the garden with you 😊

[@NewDimension7]

Good Morning .. OMG really great video. Spring Garden , nice information. Very beautiful enviroment. Thanks You for sharing

[@dawnb7457]

Sweet Holly...love that dog in the garden! :)

[@enchantedenglishadventurer8024]

I love that you said it was not too late to fertilize. I have to say these videos help me so much. I live in Japan zone 9 and your garden has so many plants that are readily available in Japan. Thank you so much!

[@Suburbanoasis]

Love how you have changed up the veggie garden, it looks great! 🤗🌷🌿🪻

[@landdesigner4195]

In Oklahoma, Caladiums are in short supply. Our commercial suppliers had their orders reduced about 40%. We are told a hurricane took a toll on the growers. ? So if you see Caladium bulbs you want, don't wait. 🌱

[@frazercollins9559]

Thanks Jim.

[@32dras]

Every year is worst and word situation, during lockdown lot of inexperienced people entered gardening world and seller adjusted quickly, garden centres are full of blooming hydrangeas( our average last frost is first week of May) and other plants forced to bloom so much earlier then they should. Maybe it's easier to sell them to inexperienced gardeners, make them harder to root in and adjust in their new spaces but more important, kill all joy of watching them set leaves, buds, start blooming. I'm ordering my plants from small independent grower specialized in perennials and flowering shrubs, they have 99 of production under blue sky so their plants are tougher and where they should be according to part of year.

[@solsticesummer982]

Always informative. 🙂

[@graylagran7443]

Hey Jim and Stephanie (518). I got a few AeroGardens and am growing lettuces, herbs, and tomatoes. Outside I’m winter milk jug sowing annuals and a few perennials. Yesterday I took a half day off work to play inside and in and got over 13k steps. This really is GO time. Love the videos and content. I’m here in Garner.

[@gardeningjunkie2267]

Things I'm doing, cutting back clematis to new growth, trimming boxwoods, pruning hedges hard so I don't have to trim all summer, pulling ugly daffodils so they don't keep on multiplying, marking out spaces for dahlias and setting up stakes, uncovering peonies so they're not buried too deep in mulch, planting groundcover phlox.

[@teresacleckner7994]

❤You & Steph have done a beautiful job with your yard! I loved seeing you in different locations of the yard & the different angles that I don’t remember seeing previously! Have followed your videos since your “old” house & have learned so much!! It was nice seeing both Holly & Griffin in the video 🥰

[@annwoleben5439]

These monthly videos are so helpful. Thank you!

[@Carl-iw9sy]

Always great to see these videos especially this time of the year. Hello spring!

[@goodgugamuga]

Holly is a whole vibe! I spent the Winter up-potting my houseplants. I still need to finish pruning around the yard, but did tame the climbing roses.

[@mikeymopar1171]

Scraping ice off my car window 29ﾟ This morning South West Pennsylvania.

[@shribabu4258]

Could you do a video on planting with voles? I had made two large beds and planted dozens of new 4" pots after putting down a layer of compost and then mulching. Then came the voles, they destroyed about 30% of all my new perennials.

[@ruth8268]

Excellent information! Thank you!

[@jeanniecollier6763]

Just praying my Crepe myrtle is not dead or deformed after the last frost, as I had covered her and she still looks like all her buds and leaves have turned crisp. Gardening takes lots of hits on someone's soul.

[@chiniquasimmons9927]

Always amazing content, thank you!

[@deerhaven3350]

Although I'm in zone 8b much of what you speak of I can relate to in my area, which is west of Seattle, WA, USA. Thank you!

[@katiekane5247]

Every nice day here in N. Georgia is looking for success & failure, that's just gardening! I'm seeing my native/shade space around & under the porch filling in by degrees. I couldn't afford to compost the whole area but I defined the bed edge, added plants, identified natives & left the leaves from the oaks in place. It's transformed in 3 years! The native Geranium is thriving but Rozanne looks sad. The asters that grow throughout have protected the tender Mayapples & iris with their winter stems. Got one trillium up! Several varieties of ferns, the painted Japanese got hit but the "Ghost" didn't. Lots of burn on the baby Azaleas, likely stunted them. Watching the weather carefully, we've had very dry days which can mean dropping temps at night. Holly is a perfect garden accessory!

[@marionallen2222]

It’s go time 7B!!!! No more set backs … fingers crossed!!! My hibiscus trees peonies hydrangeas everything was leafed out and got bit back 🌺🌸🌳🌳🌳🤍💚🖤🍀🍀🍀

[@marionallen2222]

My elephant ears are even up with leaves!

[@cece_marie]

I'm starting some air layered saliva greggii and repotting houseplants. Prepping to rescreen the porch, so the cats can enjoy time outside.

[@theresaodwyer2026]

Such encouraging content. Always consistent information. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! Holly is so sweet❤️

[@scallywags12]

Thanks for the good tips. Here on Vancouver island near Nanaimo, BC Canada still cold when cloudy. Lows 2-3 C or 35 F. Odd frost, too in early morning. Spring has arrived with lots of bulbs in bloom.

[@debandrews7415]

Yeah Natives!

[@SimpleSouthernReflections]

This is another great video and right on time, I have a small utube channel and a "SIMPLE" garden, you are giving some good ideas, can I grow lettuce on my screen porch in zone 7B to protect them from the rabbits????, thanks so much.🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@cherylstrawn9448]

Great video! I keep my old sheets and buckets handy as covers, and had to use them 2 nights ago when we had a frost advisory in NW Mississippi 7b (for my newly planted bareroot blueberries, spice bushes, and dogwoods...) We are taking a good look to determine which shrubs are dead from the December deep freeze, and it looks like most are. So, will have to make a new plan for foundation plants--this time I will look more closely at natives and those shrubs that are hardy to zone 5 or 6. But, I will also have my covers ready the next time a deep freeze comes along. Have fun in the garden everyone!

[@bohnnco]

Such a conundrum. The nurseries are packed with hot summer annuals but in 7b they basically sulk until nights are warmer.

[@paulinecrispin121]

Hi. Thanks for this video. I think it's the best one of yours that I have watched. Just the right amount of information. 😊

[@katherinecornette5315]

I actually saw blooming tropical plants at Lowe’s yesterday 😮!

[@linrn53]

I bought a Miss Huff Lantana from my local nursery that has blooms already (it was in the greenhouse). After about a week outside in it's container, I snipped those blooms off and put the plant in the ground. It's doing great so far but I'm still watching the weather and I will cover if I need to. Greenville, NC zone 8A.

[@jaisarowe5285]

Hey Jim! 😀 Thanks so much for all your valuable info…always very helpful. I’m a new gardener in zone 7a and have heard you often talking about pine bark mulch as being one of the better, healthier options. Is there any particular brand of bagged pine bark mulch which you would recommend? Appreciate your advice as I’m thinking of replacing my black dyed mulch this spring.

[@erikl85]

Another good example of how much things can differ even in the "same" zone. I live in 7B (also borderline 8A, 5 miles south of me - and 1000ft lower - is 8B) in the mountains of Northern California. We currently have about 30" of snow on the ground. Our average last frost is May 14. So my much colder winter climate is considered the same zone as yours, we just don't get that cold, most winters the lowest temp is around 13-14f, and that's only for a brief period. The real fun is figuring out which shrubs can handle snow well, we average just over 100" of snow in town, but this year we're sitting at 230" and it's still coming. So far the winners for handling lots of snow are osmanthus (does amazingly well), aucuba, azaleas, mahonia (seems to grow even when buried), hollies, box honeysuckle, and any conifers. Big losers are crape myrtle and florida anise.

[@verawallace9055]

I was planning yesterday to check my winter sowing the seeds, and look around in the Garden, change my mind after seeing how cold it was also 7b

[@lilylily9012]

Ohhh my last frost date is not till may 15th. Can't wait. First time outdoor gardener. I winter sowed a bunch of perennials. Thank you for all your knowledge. I am learning zoo much from you. I will start labeling. 😊

[@katiekane5247]

Take the plunge for a UV resistant sharpie. I found them on line & I've got so many to mark, I bought a box of white plastic knives at Costco so I've got tags aplenty to mark.

[@aalejardin]

I can tell you from experience that if you don't mark things you won't remember the cultivar name half the time or that there are dormant bulbs or plants where you just thrust in a spade. It's also helpful to use your phone to take pictures periodically of your plantings. hope your winter sowing goes well, it's a very economical way to grow perennials - don't be disappointed if the plants don't bloom the first year or only put out a few blooms. They will reward you in future.

[@josweatt898]

I just purchased a Merlot Redbud tree. Hope it will be a nice addition as I know nothing about it other than what I have googled.

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thanks Jim. 🌷💚🙃

[@dylan8285]

I’m just now enjoying my crocuses in peak bloom and daffodils starting

[@JimPutnam]

You're in Michigan?

[@dylan8285]

@@JimPutnam yeah the SE part of the mitten. Been a cool spring

[@marybethgardener111]

Holly looks very distinguished observing in the background :)

[@henrybowden4006]

Please cover how to grow eucalyptus from seed in zone 7B . Thanks for your help !

[@HandcraftedintheFoothills]

Thanks Jim! Love how the garden looks!

[@dianetemple4243]

It's lovely to be able to mulch except that I have cats in my neighborhood who use it as a litter box. Have you ever heard of spreading Milorganite as a perimeter to keep critters out of your flower beds?

[@brianpisz4471]

Jim, do you use solar powered fountains for your bird baths? I was considering getting one, to see if it brings more birds in

[@mellfraze8112]

Zone 9b Northern California... It has been a long wet winter which is good for getting out of the drought but has slowed my garden down. A lot of my plants are 2-4 weeks behind where they usually are this time of year. This year is a wait & see gardening year for me, not much planting right now & lots of planning.

[@ashleighnelson512]

It's go time! Anybody want to come over and help me plant? 😅💚💚💚

[@terrivance8750]

Jim, What is the difference between a frost & a freeze? Thank you.😊

[@HandcraftedintheFoothills]

Lots of pruning for us because of cold damage and assessments being made...anything lost I'm looking at it as an opportunity to try something new😊

[@maggiew5192]

Thanks for all your advice! I am also in Zone 7B and have a question: I am looking for late season daffodils that will do well in the South? My early show is lovely, but I need more late bloomers for this time of year.

[@judymiddleswart9350]

Please please tell me Jim where on Gulf Coast did u get that butterfly bush.... HERE IN PENSACOLA OUR GARDEN STORES ARE SO SO VERY LIMITED!!!! I would love another resource if you can please share!!! Thanks as always your videos & great info .. judy

[@jeezychreezy1]

Been waiting for this video.

[@JimPutnam]

Thanks for watching!

[@JDubKillinKicks]

My liatris from last year is just showing in Charleston, SC so don't give up on yours too early. It is last to emerge besides old caladium bulbs for me. I'm thinking some of my lantana is done for though no life.

[@RealBradMiller]

I've been pulling up maple seedlings by the hundreds!! I only hope my little Japanese maple is a third as fertile. For my own sake!

[@qt5160]

yea, why don’t japanese red maple ever give off seedlings ?! regular red maple trees give off way too much seedlings

[@melanieleonard3270]

Jim I have a question. I see your sweet dog going all through your flower beds and plants and seems like doesn't damage a thing. How do you achieve that?? I have lost hundreds of dollars of plants because our dog lays on them. She has 40 acres to have at her disposal, but she wants to lay on top of the plants. Do you have any tricks you could share?

[@jordanyeager9220]

Do you have any plans to install raised beds into your landscape?

[@CrissyOShow]

I thought you got a statue of your dog she was so still. I got a dwarf butterfly bush recently too.

[@hollywoodmomof3]

Hi! What is the weeping tree behind you over your left shoulder close to the shed?

[@wraith313]

Jim, I am curious: Do you recommend doing soil tests every year or just to get a baseline to work from? I got an extensive test a couple of years ago, followed the amendment recommendations, and really haven't touched it since. I have heard mixed things about the home pH testers, so I am not sure if it's worth bothering or especially worth going through all the hassle of sending off samples again if there's not a really obvious issue?

[@raymondknapp6674]

Holly inspecting the lilac suckers! 😂

[@cathiechaffin5469]

Super dry here in Central Kansas. Coughcough.

[@rachelsgarden]

Lots of planting here & monitoring newly planted trees. Hummingbirds are back too! Just had a Podocarpus screen installed. I had planned to add a layer of compost and fertilize, but landscaper added weed fabric 😩 saying he was worried about Bermuda coming up (it was removed to install the screen). Is it best to remove it now?

[@KurlyKarmenita]

New subbie! Planning to get Winter Gem Boxwoods. Should I wait to plant them in the ground?

[@JimPutnam]

Boxwoods should be fine. If they have a few inches of new growth already some of that is at risk of being burned, but boxwoods will normally bounce right back.

[@KurlyKarmenita]

​@JimPutnam thanks! Watching from NC 😊

[@Slyclientthetechdad]

Ive been loving you videos. Plan on staring my first garden thia spring. I live in Massachusetts in a wooded oak tree area. I noticed you use leaves as mulch. Do you chop them, or do you spread them and leave them as they are?

[@dia9491]

Hey Jim, Tatertot is wanting you to know he harvested 36 radishes already. Lol

[@fafafarmlife]

Thật là tuyệt ❤

[@nicolejordan5278]

My lorapetalum blooms but has sparse leaves all season. How do I get it to be full and lush?

[@andrewnichols4031]

So I started using “soil conditioner” from one of the local big box stores. It’s pretty much pulverized pine bark. Any disadvantages to using pine opposed to hardwood?

[@charchar9085]

How does your mojo pittosporum look Jim? My leaves are looking grey/ashy with crispy tips from the winter freezes. The leaves are still getting water to them so I've left them be. Newer leaves are growing inside the plant. Should I trim at all or leave it be?

[@harriettpavonrosado5175]

I'm pulling some kind of aggressive vine from my lawn; it sprawls over areas very fast. It came out of nowhere. HELP!

[@ceciliamartinez6694]

we also live in NC 7b (Greensboro); have replaced our lawn with zoysia several years ago that has done well with the exception of one area on a slight slope that continues to wash out despite our ongoing efforts.. (placement of drain above, re-seeding, etc, ) Any suggestions ? an alternative grass or method for that area? thanks so much

[@jeannetteburgess3516]

What is the best soil to use when planting vegetables in grow bags?

[@lorandroege4419]

Average last frost date - second week of MAY. Up to 2 feet of snow expected this weekend above 2500 feet (Washington's Cascade range). Believe it or not I am in zone 8B (western Washington), truly four season weather and we struggle to get out of winter each year. I am a 1 hour drive from the Pacific Ocean, a 2 hour drive from 4000 foot elevation mountain passes and 10 minute walk to the salt water of Puget Sound (we get everything except hurricanes). Hazelnut tassels have opened and are spewing pollen, cool weather grasses want to get started but low light and temperatures mostly inhibit that, flowering fruit tree buds are beginning to swell up and it is obvious that the sun's path is shifting higher in the sky. Early bulbs are up in the neighborhood: crocus, daffodils, tulips, etc. I just started old/dead growth cleanup and will need to move some plants that are over-exposed to winter winds.

[@JimPutnam]

Wow, that's wild!

[@kellywillis1347]

We pulled up a big crepe myrtle bush that was about 15 years old. It started looking really bad and was always covered with aphids. I dug up what I could see and my husband pulled up a lot of its roots with his truck but I still have some suckering coming up. I planted a butterfly bush in the old space. Is there any way I can get rid of all the suckering without killing my butterfly bush? I didn't have any after we pulled it up but this spring they are running wild. Thanks

[@andydzieciaszek586]

All you can do at this point is just keep pulling the suckers as you see them. What I have done in the past when getting rid of crape myrtles is to drill holes in the stump and fill them with round up in the fall. Works very well with only a sucker or two popping up that first season, nothing afterwards.

[@katiekane5247]

Might cut & dab the suckers but use a non-systemic herbicide. I've managed to almost rid my woods of invasive Wisteria without damaging the nice natives hidden underneath. I use a tiny foam brush & undiluted glyphosate. Just cut & dab, the resprouts get smaller & weaker.

[@melissamartin8208]

The dog says "Who is my dad talking to?" - "I don't get it. He does this a lot."

[@frandavis8687]

What named variety of lilac are you growing there?

[@JimPutnam]

That's Miss Kim. It's a Korean Lilac

[@michigan160]

how about okra!

[@JimPutnam]

After you're frost date for sure. Okra is a true tropical from Africa

[@jow5545]

I have had success direct seeding after the last frost date. Zone 7b

[@maryannferencak3799]

Sorry, Jim. Your full moon and frost theory has been dispelled. It's just coincidence.

[@katieking6845]

Gogofo

[@marciagrant6687]

Hi Jim! I have a leak in the sprinkler system and maybe even the water spigot that needs investigating. I pruned some of my boxwood plants and decided to propagate the cuttings!! I'm going to divide my white wand veronica. I trimed the clematis vines. I pulled weeds and tried to remove a moon flower plant (it seeded everywhere!!). I purchased more evergreens and tried red hot pokers and bare root lupines. Overall, Iam excited for the coming season.

[@Jenoveryonder]

Rambling and repetitive….

[@jilladcock5648]

I’m just barely starting to cut back some perennials. Snow yesterday 😞. I need to come garden in zone 7.

[@erikl85]

I'm in zone 7B in northern california. We got 30" of snow Mon-Tues. 🥲

[@verawallace9055]

Also 7b very Cold today, I thought it was Spring