Just When We Thought It Could Be Spring

In an effort to avoid my usual last minute style I have been jotting notes of things to start off with this year. As I look over the list I can already tell I have too much for this first effort. That said, without repeating last year word for word I am going to ask you to refer to the Canyon Creek Nursery website under the Pat’s Corner tab to re-read “Will It Ever Be Spring?” to review spring clean-up chores.

The Cliff Notes version of spring chores boils down to: mow, power rake and fertilize your lawn, check trees or shrubs that you have staked to be sure they are not being girdled, last call for pruning and all season oil, cut your perennials and tall grasses back and fertilize, keep on top of your weeds, and it is too early to plant annuals and veggies. Quick, breathe!

Late last fall Ann and I learned that the National Wildlife Federation is actively working for Billings to become a Certified Wildlife Habitat Community. This includes creating a sustainable garden to help native wildlife; providing food, water and shelter for all manner of birds, bees and creatures which will encourage them to raise their young in city yards. I personally draw the line for bringing in deer or bears, so consider your tolerance level with your level of commitment. We have several information handouts here at the nursery or check: www.nwf.org/garden for details and tips. Billings needs to meet a point threshold to qualify as a Certified Wildlife Habitat Community. This is a great project for homeowners, schools, local parks, churches and businesses. Turns out, Missoula is currently the only other certified community in Montana. If Missoula can do it so can Billings! Challenge accepted!

We are also hearing increasing interest in bee friendly pollinator plants as well as renewed interest in native plants. Bee friendly pollinator plants are a home run and so easy to grow. If you choose plants that have varied bloom times, the bees always have something to eat. Bees even like the flowers of weeds. If you are interested in hobby beekeeping you may want to check out the Montana Department of Agriculture website: Beekeeping Program for further information.

Native plants are a bit more work but worth the rewards. Ann gave a great talk about natives and pollinators last month at the Montana Audubon’s Native Plant Symposium. When choosing native plants you will want to decide how much of a purist you want to be. Many native plants have been improved with cultivars that can often perform sooner and better than true natives in a cultivated garden. Also keep in mind that native in Montana doesn’t necessarily mean native in Billings. Initial soil prep for your native garden will depend on the individual needs of each plant you choose. For example, it is tough here in Billings to recreate the soil and conditions needed for kinnikinnick that grows on the other side of the divide. After the initial soil prep and planting most natives don’t want too much love. Too much love is too much water or fertilizer or soil amendments. Keep in mind that many natives need open soil to re-seed so traditional landscape fabric and rock cover is not your best bet. We are looking to expand our selection of native and native-ish plants this season. We are hearing some rumblings of interest in reviving a Billings Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society. I will let you know if that develops.

We know it will get warmer and the leaves will finally pop out. With warmer weather the bugs also start to pop out, so if you have had problem in previous years you may want to keep your eye out and take preventive action. The Integrated Pest Management school of thought says that you are best served to identify the problem insect and if the pest threshold warrants treatment. Insect damage may only be cosmetic, not life threatening and not worth the harm to other species that treatment would cause. Insect identification leads to insect lifecycle for treatment timing and least toxic options. Many insects winter over in leaf litter and duff under the trees and shrubs. Often a good cleanup will disturb the insect lifecycle and reduce the need for pesticide treatment.

If you have noticed wilted or dead tops in your spruce trees you most likely have white pine weevil. Once that top is wilted or died you must cut it out. Make an angled cut and keep cutting until you find clean green tissue under the bark. Dispose of the dead top in a bag in the trash not the yard waste bin. Spruce can be soil drenched with a systemic insecticide like imidacloprid in the fall or even early spring. The theory of systemic insecticide uses the plant’s vascular system to move the chemical through the plant and when boring insects eat a hole to lay eggs they should get enough bite of insecticide to do them in. You can also apply a foliar spray to the top few feet of the tree with an insecticide that will give some residual effect. Don’t forget that the majority of insecticide sprays have to actually touch the bug when you spray so that is why lifecycle and timing are critical. If you have Dwarf Alberta Spruce and other evergreen that have browned out from winter burn, some extra care is needed. You can take a broom to your Dwarf Alberta and brush off the dead needles. Pines, juniper and arborvitae may need a bit of pruning if the branches and needles are completely dead. If the deer ate your pines it will take them years to recover and you may want to consider deer fencing and replacements.

Here at the nursery we are checking off our spring chores. Wintered over plants are coming on with the season with restock and new varieties arriving weekly. We will have colorful violas, pansies, veggies, and some annuals again this year along with an extensive selection of grass, perennials, shrubs and trees, something for every project in your yard. Early spring is an excellent time to plant.

Stop in or give us a call to let us help you make your project a success.