Show Notes
Spring is tiptoeing in and we want to set you up for the smoothest garden year ever. This week we’re recording live on location in Erin’s garden and examining what tasks she has already done, what’s next on the list, and what pressures to let go of. (Remember: don’t let perfect be the enemy of good!)
The first order of business as winter ends is to prune woody fruit-producing perennials. We chat about currants, apples, and grapes—yes, grapes in zone 4b. Naturally that leads into propagation: cuttings, mound layering, and even air layering. Next we talk seed starting indoors and out and the season extension that helps us save space on our windowsills. Then it’s on to spring bulbs to plant, fall bulbs that are blooming, water management (if you’re listening from a region with flooding, our hearts go out to you!) and the ever-vital skill of observation. Finally, we wrap up with a lightning round of fifteen other early-spring tasks that get you set up for success.
Ready to get your hands dirty? Listen now!
Take a Peek at Erin’s Garden
Last year’s cuttings Swenson Red The Swenson Red grape, pruned The IKEA trellis The peas are sprouting!
Erin’s vegetable garden The air layering device
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Credits Website Design and Illustration by Sophia Alladin
Intro and Outro Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/when-my-ukulele-plays
License code: GWOIMMBAS15FG6PH
Timestamps
00:41 Introduction 02:11 The Myth That Your Garden Is Already Behind 04:18 Late April in Zone 4b 04:58 What Erin Has Done So Far 05:56 Season Extension 06:36 Growing Swenson Red Grapes in Zone 4b 10:52 Pruning Currant Bushes 12:45 Mound Layering: Intentional or Unintentional Propagation 14:00 Apple Trees and Winter Damage 15:46 Propagating Fruit Tree Cuttings 17:28 Air Layering to Propagate Fruit Trees 20:28 Sean’s Paean to Crabapples 24:54 Starting Seeds Indoors and Hardening Off 27:13 Starting Seeds When You Have No Indoor Space 32:50 Use Up This Year’s Seed Inventory 33:53 Bulbs to Plant in Spring 35:00 Fall Bulbs and the Siberian Squill Controversy 39:35 Native Lawn Alternatives 42:32 Water Harvesting and Rain Gardens 45:37 Observing Your Garden 47:41 Lightning Round: Things To Do at This Time of Year 53:53 Outro and Contact Us
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