Winter is here but spring is just around the corner. Use this time to perform a few garden chores and start planning for spring planting.

Soil Testing for Spring Success

One of the easiest chores to perform this time of year is soil testing. Soil testing should be conducted every 2-3 years, and provides a snapshot of your current soil fertility and pH levels. You can pick up all the soil testing materials you will need to submit a sample at our office, and then submit that sample to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Agronomic Division for analysis. By amending your soil now, you will be prepared for spring planting.

Winter Pruning Tips for Trees and Shrubs

Winter dormancy pruning can also be conducted during the next couple of months.

Pruning Fruit Trees

To learn more about pruning of fruit trees, review the Extension publication ‘Training and Pruning Fruit Trees in N.C.’. You can also find several videos from Extension Tree Fruit Specialist, Dr. Mike Parker, for peach and pecan tree care through our NC State Extension YouTube channel.

When to Avoid Pruning Spring-Flowering Shrubs

Remember to hold off on heavy pruning of spring flowering shrubs like Azaleas and Camellias. Wait until they have flowered, then proceed to make those cuts. Pruning of these plants early will result in removal of flower buds and decrease your spring bloom. Summer flowering plants like Crape myrtles and evergreen shrubs can be pruned immediately.

General Winter Pruning Guidelines

However, try not to remove more than 1/3 of the canopy of any plant during a single growing season to help maintain shape, balance, and vigor. Light, corrective pruning all year long is much easier on both you and plants and reduces the need to remove large limbs or severe pruning during winter. Winter pruning generally invigorates plants, so look out for a large flush of new growth in the spring. For specifics on when and how to make those pruning cuts, visit the NC State Extension publication ‘General Pruning Techniques’.

Planting Trees and Shrubs During Cooler Months

Planting of trees and shrubs can be conducted almost year-round with containerized plants, but establishment is much easier when planting occurs during cooler parts of the year. With less demand for canopy growth, plants can focus energy on root development before the spring warm-up begins.

Encouraging Strong Root Development

Remember not to plant too deeply and encourage root growth by pruning back restricted root systems that occur in containers. For more planting tips, review the NC State Extension video series from Dr. Barbara Fair, Extension Horticultural Specialist.

Managing Winter Lawn Weeds

Lastly, do not forget about those winter lawn weeds. Winter annuals and perennials are much easier to control in the fall, but we can still take action now. Most winter weeds are broadleaf plants and can be controlled with mixtures of broadleaf herbicides like Ortho-Weed-B-Gone or Speed Zone Southern. However, cold temperatures will decrease efficacy of these products and add additional time before you notice results. Just be patient and follow the label directions.

Avoid Fertilizing During Dormancy

Stay away from “weed and feed” products during the dormant season. Save the fertilizer for after spring green up, as application of nitrogen fertilizer during winter dormancy is not recommended for warm season grasses. For more information on identifying and controlling winter weeds, follow this link to the N.C. State Extension TurfFiles website.

Additional Lawn and Garden Resources

For more information on any of these subjects, please contact Daniel Simpson at 252-745-4121 or Daniel_simpson@ncsu.edu.