Our few sunny and mild days in a row fooled me into thinking that our cold, dark days were over. Unfortunately, dark, cold, and windy days returned. So, unless you love to ski, sled, walk on patches of ice, etc. I am guessing that you agree with me that Winter needs to be over! I think everyone, well, everyone I know, is more than ready for Spring!  This is especially true of us gardeners. Although I am no expert, I am usually an enthusiastic gardener. So, in this spirit, I offer a few tips for how to spend your time thinking and planning while waiting for Spring. Then, when it truly is Spring, I offer a few tips on how to get started on getting your gardens ready.  

Fill your wait time by reflecting on what went well in your gardens last growing season and celebrate what you enjoyed. Then remember what didn’t go so well and think about how you would want to do things differently.  For example, did you have some bare spots? Which companion plants would you add to fill in these bare spots? Seed catalogs and gardening books help with planning. Were you plagued by rabbits, groundhogs, deer, etc?  If so, do some research and then plan ahead by getting the information or products you would need to better avoid these hungry creatures in this year’s gardens. What about color throughout the seasons? Decide what plants you could add that would extend the color in your gardens from Spring through Fall. Also consider color and texture for Winter interest.

Once the snow has melted on your lawn and gardens and you are certain that Spring is actually a reality, it is time to plan your early garden tasks. I say 'plan' because, from experience, I know soil is fragile; you can inadvertently compact it if you stomp around in your beds before they have time to thaw and drain. Walk through the garden to inspect trees and shrubs for winter damage. If you find broken limbs caused by weather or hungry animals, prune them while plants are still dormant.  When the soil is warm enough, it's a good time to enrich it with compost or other organic matter of your choice. There is little more exciting to a gardener than seeing our perennials starting to come up! Walk around and celebrate the beginning of yet another year of pleasure in your gardens. When the nights are consistently 50 or above, you can safely plant perennials and even add some annuals for continuous color. Adding mulch to your gardens helps keep weeds under control and keep the soil moist.  

During early Spring, members of the Ashland Garden Club are not only getting their own gardens ready for the season, but also getting the in-ground gardens around Town ready. We plant and maintain six in-ground sites (e.g., Library grounds, Clock Town garden, Memorial garden, Post Office garden, Community Center garden). AGC also plants and maintains planters around Town (e.g., Town Hall, Fountain, Post Office, Community Center).  We update all of our sites and planters by season throughout the year.  

To get everyone truly anxious for Spring, I am enclosing a photo of two of my hellebore, one of my favorite plants. Did you know that with the right conditions, hellebore begin blooming as early as February?

The Ashland Garden Club meets on the second Saturday of every month, September through June, 10 - 11:15 a.m. in the meeting room at the lower level of the Ashland Library. Our annual plant sale is always held on Montenegro Square, the Saturday after Mother’s Day, which is June 16 this year. We do not meet in July or August because we are busy maintaining the in-ground sites and planters, as well as visiting each other’s gardens. We also offer educational opportunities for the public free of charge throughout the year.  Our meetings are also open to the public, and we always welcome new members.

Photo and article submitted by Gretchen Bravacos, Member of the AGC Leadership Team