According to Punxsutawney Phil, winter is going to be sticking around for another six weeks. But don’t worry, there are a few things you can do now to prepare your landscape for spring; this includes transplanting shrubs and trees, pruning roses, and applying pre-emergent herbicides.
Now is a good time to transplant shrubs and trees that have outgrown the current location or will serve a better purpose elsewhere within the landscape. Transplanting now will help ensure viability as temperatures rise and the plants begin to consume more water. Here are the steps to transplant a shrub or tree.
Step 1: Prepare the new location for the plant. Pick where you want the plant to be moved and dig the hole, which should be at least three times as wide but about the same depth as the root ball.
Step 2: Dig up the shrub or tree. Try to keep as much of the root ball as possible, but you will have to cut some roots. Make sure to use a sharp shovel. If you are cutting roots that are larger than the diameter of your thumb, then make the root ball bigger by digging a larger hole.
Step 3: Move the shrub or tree carefully to the new location. Make sure to carry the plant material by the root ball, not by the trunk or stems. An easy way to help move large shrubs or trees is to put it on plastic and slide it to the new location or use a wheelbarrow.
Step 4: Plant the shrub or tree in the new location. Make sure to water regularly to ensure the plant’s success in its new location.
Pruning roses now is the best way to ensure a healthy and vigorous plant that will produce more blooms throughout the season. When pruning, make sure to use tools with sharp blades. Here are the steps to prune roses.
Step 1: Cut any deadwood found throughout the rose bush.
Step 2: Cut any thin branches that are smaller than a pencil.
Step 3: Cut branches that cross or touch each other.
Now, before the weather warms up and the weeds start growing, is the best time to apply pre-emergent herbicide. It limits weed germination by creating a barrier and seal around the seed. The use of pre-emergent herbicide promotes less post-emergent herbicide use in the growing season. If applied after weeds are present, then it will not have an effect.
By following these simple steps this month, your landscape will produce beautiful results in the growing season.