The switch to organics is important. We are polluting our waterways through the use of chemical fertilizers. We are poisoning our soils through the use of pesticides and are placing our family and pets at risk; and we are weakening our plants by not following the organic approach. Feed the soil and the soil will feed the plant. The food web will take care of the rest. This is Nature's Way. The organic way is the best way to grow strong healthy plants. We are dedicated to helping you make this change. If we all work together, we can help preserve the beauty of this earth.

We have all had it with winter and the devastation that a wet heavy snow has brought down our trees and shrubs. Skillful pruning will be important once the snow has melted away. It will be important to act on this early in the spring before new growth takes place. We are writing informational pieces on the ten most important subjects that an organic gardener needs to be well versed in. Hopefully you have saved the one on pruning for now is the time to read it. When the sun shines and the temperatures become warmer, we gardeners are in our glory. March is a very erratic month and can manifest tremendous temperature fluctuations, so take advantage of the good days. As soon as the ground is workable, work your garden. Take some chances and plant cool crops in window boxes close to the protection of your house. Color brings beauty to your garden.

The Organic Approach to Gardening is quite simple for the month of March. We are recommending that you fertilize your lawn with Milorganite as soon as the ground thaws and everything else with Plant-Tone (the complete organic fertilizer). Those living in Westchester County have to abide by a County law prohibiting the application of lawn fertilizers until April. We like to apply Milorganite early as it is also a great Deer Repellent. Apply April 1 or as early as you can. Our programs and our emails will lead you through the year step by step. Make sure your gardener is on the same page. Supply him with the information, or better yet supply him with the right products at the right time. Organic Gardening benefits you, the environment and our plants. Pass on our emails.

EVERGREENS, TREES AND SHRUBS: Spray your yard with Dormant oils when temperatures are above 50 degrees to get rid of any over wintering eggs which will hatch into future insect problems. If you are following our organic program, fertilize everything with Plant-Tone. Hollytone can be used for acid loving plants if you prefer. In an organic soil we feed the soil and the microbes ingest the food and release all the nutrients needed to your plants..

Many plants have taken a beating this year from snow damage. Severe pruning to shape or lower the height of plants is best done now before new growth takes place.

If you do this on flowering plants, you will be sacrificing your flower crop for the year. Selectively cutting out damaged branches and shaping the plant will require some knowledge of pruning and of the plant. Refer to our lecture on pruning. It can be found at Sprainbrook.com - catalogue -information section. We know you may need some help in this area. Our landscape foremen are terrific with over 20 years of experience. Their pruning skills are the best. Give us a call; we are always here for you. On deciduous plants make sure the pruning is done before the sap starts flowing. On evergreens that are winter burned, scratch the bark to see if it is green. If so, it will come back. Branches that are brittle or dead should be cut back to the green area. Once you have winter burn, you need to be patient until the new June growth takes place.

Deer do a tremendous amount of damage in late winter as food is scarce and they widen their territory. Deer repellents are particularly important at this time of the year. If you affect two of their senses, both taste and smell, you will get better control. We like Deer Scram which repels by smell along with Deer Stopper which repels by taste. There are many other Deer repellents on the market and alternating products is advisable. ROSES: Winter protection should be removed and the roses should be pruned. Use a good pruner such as the Felco 2 which gives a sharp, clean cut. We have an excellent 2 page diagram showing you in detail how to prune your various groups of roses. It is free at the Nursery. If you are following the organic approach, feed with Plant-Tone; if not, feed your roses with one cup of Rose-Tone fertilizer per bush. Spray Messenger® (Employ®) on your roses as soon as new leaves have developed. Make sure your rose beds are well mulched.

LAWNS: Fertilize your lawn with Milorganite (6-2-0) as soon as the ground thaws. This is a high organic nitrogen lawn fertilizer that is rich in iron, calcium and acts as a deer Repellent. Apply Mineral Rock Dust to re-mineralize your soil and Gypsum to help alleviate compaction.

FLOWERS: Don't forget to plant your Pansies early. They will provide you with early spring color. Incorporate some cool season crops along with them. See below.

PERENNIALS: Fertilize with Plant-Tone, clean up any dead debris that may be lingering or lying on top and make sure all perennials are adequately cut back. As the ground becomes workable, divide clumps that are too large. Top dress with Fundy blend which acts as an excellent nutritive mulch for perennials. The preparation of new beds can take place as soon as the ground is workable. For instructions see Preparation of a New Planting Bed at the end of this article. Once your plants are growing, spray with Messenger® or Employ® on a monthly basis.

SOIL AMENDMENTS: March is the time to beef up your soil. Organics should be worked into new beds and top dressed into existing beds. Vegetable, perennial and flower beds all need help in the spring. Our favorite organics are the fish based composts from the Coast of Maine. They are Lobster Compost (Formerly Quoddy Blend) and Penobscot Blend. I like adding them together for best results. We have been getting terrific feed back from customers who have been using these products.

Plant Feature: Valentine's Day Orchids
[Archived Articles]

Orchids are a great Valentine's Day gift. These are high quality plants that last for months. Our Orchids are easy to care for and a cultural sheets can be included with each plant. Another Valentine Specialty is our plant combinations. These are arrangements of bulbs, flowers and foliage and are truly exquisite. They come in natural baskets and a variety of containers. We have a full price range and we are offering free delivery service for Valentine orders. . Our plants are grown organically and they are exceptional.

Attend the demonstrations on Spring Weekend. You will learn a lot about Gardening.

PREPARATION OF A NEW PLANTING BED
Our formula for "Preparation of a Planting Bed" should be followed. The formula transforms the worst possible soil to the best possible soil. Per 100 square feet dig in and mix to a depth of one foot. This formula builds a sustainable garden.

Focus on Prevention rather than Cures 3:00 - 4:00

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Gardening Frequently Asked Question: How do I prune my Hydrangeas?
[Archived Articles]

How do I prune my Hydrangeas? The arborescens types should be pruned all the way down to the ground in early spring. The paniculatas should be pruned back but not all the way in early spring. Both of these bloom on current year's growth. The macrophylla types cannot be pruned in the spring as they bloom on second year's growth. They should be pruned as soon as the flowers fade in the spring. However, last years dead flowers and old growth should be removed. Refer to our Lecture on pruning.

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Tour the Nursery: Starting growing
[Archived Articles]

We are working diligently; planting, transplanting ,seeding and propagating plant material for spring. We fill our greenhouses to capacity during the months of January, February, and March. It's worth a trip to the Nursery to see all the new exciting varieties that are going to be available this spring. February is also a month filled with beautiful flowering house plants. Bulbs, Cyclamen, Primrose, African Violet, Orchid, Kalanchoe, Jasmine and many more are part of the floriferous display at Sprainbrook. We carry a full selection of foliage plants, floor plants and hanging baskets.