With spring rapidly approaching, many have started taking advantage of the occasional sunny weather. While some have done so on the golf course or the tennis courts, many are doing so in their gardens.
“People are starting to get the itch to garden,” said Tassajara Nursery owner Matt Akabane recently. “Especially last week when it was nice.”
People usually look for colorful plants around this time of year, he said. Burgundy is typically a hot commodity, but perhaps the most popular color combination is pink blended together with purple. The bright colors give owners a sense of relief after going through the darker and gloomier days of winter.
“They try to find whatever catches their eye,” said Akabane.
For those looking to plant flowers for color, Akabane recommends African daisies. The flowers come in rich shades of orange, yellow, purple and white, and are fairly easy to grow. By the time that they are done growing, they are approximately a foot to a foot-and-a-half tall.
“They brighten things up,” said Akabane.
When it comes to having more color, calla lilies add a nice touch to the garden. Used often in flower arrangements, calla lilies usually come in white or pink. The finished product comes out to be a pretty good size, Akabane noted.
Another popular springtime flower is the miniature rose. Unlike its relatives, the miniature rose starts to bloom earlier. Because of its smaller size, it is the perfect flower for container planting. But don’t plan on growing it in cooler or shaded areas.
“Roses love sunlight, and they need a lot of it,” said Akabane.
Spring is also the ideal time to grow larger plants. The Lady Banks yellow rose, which comes in a 5-gallon container, can climb to heights of 8 to 10 feet on walls.
“The Banks rose is a climbing rose that people can use for an arch,” said Akabane. “It’s very common for people to look for color this time of the year in a vine.”
The pandorea, which is also a larger plant, produces a smaller flower. Its flowers have a vibrant, golden color.
For those who plan on gardening for the first time this spring, Akabane said the biggest problem he sees among amateurs is they fail to properly fertilize the soil. Many forget to mix starter fertilizer with the soil during the initial planting. Their flowers lose the nutrients they need and become more susceptible to aphids, a pest that comes out in full force during the spring.
“It stimulates root growth so it acclimates and helps them bloom, keeps them lush looking,” said Akabane. “Just like when we take vitamins, it’s the same for plants. The healthier a plant is, the more it fights pests and diseases.”
When it comes to watering, Akabane stresses the importance of maintaining the freshness of the plants.
“You need more water in the spring when it’s the hottest time. Watering in the morning keeps the flowers fresh all day.”
