West Tennesseans prepare gardens for spring
NORTH JACKSON — Though spring doesn’t officially arrive until late Thursday afternoon, don’t tell that to West Tennesseans who have spent this week working in their yards and gardens. And they may be on to something. Experts say what you do now could make a big difference later. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 to get your garden ready for spring, according to Mark Carter at Carter’s Nursery. He says first, get rid of the weeds. “If you get the weeds out of your beds, you can apply something, a pre-emergent herbicide, to your beds and that will keep most things from coming up,” he said. Carter says what you do now can help ensure healthy plants in the months to come. “Think about weeding and mulching now too. It’s kinda weed, develop the soil, do your spring planting and mulch all your beds, and that way you’re ready for the whole season,” he said. You can garden almost anywhere. If you’re limited on space, use a pot. It’s the soil that’s the most important thing for your garden. Carter says fertilizing and tilling will help develop healthy soil. Some West Tennesseans are already taking this advice. Mae Tennyson says with the spring-like weather, she couldn’t pass up getting outside. “I use potting soil, soil for my flowers, you know. And put it in my beds. I dig them up and use that to grow them in,” she said. James Coleman says, “If you notice the plants, they will sometimes give you a ‘go ahead’ in order when you can to do your yard, because they will begin to start budding.” If you have already planted, make sure you keep an eye on the forecast. If we do get a frost, it’ll be important that you cover tender plants.
