Pest Control & Other Considerations for Spring Planting

Spring is right around the corner, and if you aren’t already getting buggy about this year’s garden then it’s time to! What are you thinking of growing? Fruits? Vegetables? Flowers?

No matter whether you plan to focus on a wide variety of flora and fauna or just a few plants in particular, use the Vulcan Termite and Pest Control guide below to see how gardeners can prepare for the Spring planting season.

 

Step 1. Know when to plant.

Most of Alabama is in Zone 8, with a few small sections falling into Zone 9 on the southern border. The Zones serve as a good guideline for what to plant and when to plant it. The basic principle behind spring planting is to wait until the last snap of cold has passed before jumping the gun. That way you don’t kill off flowers, fruits and veggies before they have a chance to grow.

 

Step 2. Know what to plant.

It’s best to use the recommendations for your planting zone to determine which plants will work in your yard. Below are a few more things to keep in mind.

Flowers

If you want flowers for this spring you’ll need to bypass the bulbs and go straight to planting flowers that have already matured. Spring bulbs will need to be planted in fall for them to produce flowers come spring.

Veggies

No garden would be complete without a few vegetables. Spring planting is for your summer garden, which means the veggies will have to be able to withstand the heat. Most vegetables will need to be planted between February and April.

Fruits

Fruits don’t just look pretty, they also taste great! Even if you don’t own acres, a dwarf fruit tree or two can produce delicious treats that can be enjoyed for years to come. There are also disease resistant varieties of fruit trees that will make insect control easier. Unless you’re planting more than one tree you’ll need to restrict your selection to self-pollinating varieties. There are also plenty of smaller plants like strawberries and blueberries that can be grown no matter what size your yard is.

 

Step 3. Prep your garden space.

• Decide where you want to plant flowers, fruits, veggies, trees and shrubs based on space and sunlight needs.
• Test the soil to see which nutrients are lacking.
• Clear out the weeds and weak plants that are in the way.
• Go ahead and dig holes for trees and larger shrubs so they’re ready to go in the ground as soon as you get home.

 

Step 4. Consider your pest control needs.

An ounce of pest prevention is worth a pound of cure. Before you break ground have your yard treated to get rid of the pests that are already there. Once that’s done you can focus on preventing the bugs that will be attracted to the fruits of your gardening labor.

• Research the plants you’re putting in your yard to see which insects they’re most likely to attract.
• Keep in mind that spring is when all the bugs begin to emerge, so even if you don’t see them now in another month there will be a lot more activity.
• Consider adding beneficial bugs to keep others at bay. Ladybugs are just one example of an insect that won’t harm your plants and will actually keep harmful plant eating insects away from your garden.
• Between regular pest control treatments keep soft-bodied pests like aphids off plants with a soap insecticide.
• If using insecticide yourself be careful to follow the directions exactly and protect skin and eyes from coming in contact with it.
• Don’t go overboard with insecticide treatments, especially on edible plants.
• Check your plants regularly for early signs of disease or an infestation.

 

Step 5. Get your supplies together.

Preparation makes planting much easier. Make sure you have all the tools you need before planting gets underway so you don’t end up having to stop halfway through the job. Common tools to have on hand include:

• Shovel
• Mulch
• Fertilizer
• Watering bucket or hose
• Hoe
• Gardening gloves

 

Use this guide to get your spring garden off to a great start. If you need help putting together a pest control plan give us a call and one of our expert technicians will be happy to provide you with spring gardening suggestions.

Image Source: Courtesy of Photographer Jonathan Smith

Original Source: https://www.vulcantermite.com/garden-pest-control/pest-control-other-considerations-for-spring-planting