Is it time to uncover perennial beds? March 23

March 23.

Question:

March 23. Is it too early to remove hay/straw from my perennials, hydrangeas, and new trees? I just planted a new garden in the fall and am reluctant to chance it, but I see green sprouts in my established beds.

—Alice

Answer:

Hi Alice,

Go ahead and clear the winter cover away! We’ve got warm temperatures here in the Metro and many perennials are starting to show their faces through the soil and mulch. Your cover was meant to protect the roots of your perennials from extreme freezes and thaws, but from what I see, the ground is nearer being thawed than frozen and you can safely let the perennials fend for themselves. Now would be a good time to apply a slow release fertilizer to those new garden plants!