Spring gardening tips Spring gardening tips (April 13, 2001)

Tip #1: Don't over-water

In spring, everyone's fancy turns to ... their gardens. And horticulturist Mitch Hoyles of Western Garden Nursery says the biggest danger at this time of year is over-watering.

"Now is the time when we have to start watering, and most people water way too much," he said.

Roots need air to grow, just like humans, he explained. In Pleasanton, this means that the clay soil must be allowed to dry out between waterings so the water can be replaced by air to nourish the roots.

There is a lot of misinformation given on watering, he warned. Plants in nursery containers do need constant watering in the hot weather. But once plants are in the ground, he has found from his years of experience digging in soil in the Valley, they must only be watered when necessary, and never on a pre-timed clock.

"Nature doesn't understand a calendar," he said. "The plant has to tell you when to water. When things start wilting, then you water."

"It's completely different in 100 degrees than in 60 degrees. Most of the brown spots in a lawn are caused by over-watering," he added. "Before watering your lawn, do a step-down test. Walk across the lawn. If the grass springs back up and you can't see your footprints, you don't need to water."

The same goes for plants. "If a plant doesn't grow, doesn't flower, just sits there, it has been spending all its energy building new roots," he said. "Now's the time to solve the over-watering problem. The secret is to go as long between waterings as you possibly can."

Other spring gardening tips: € It's time to fertilize fruit trees. Don't look for flowers, look for new growth. Use an appropriate fertilizer, but plants don't care if it's liquid or granule. € One of the easiest ways to grow herbs is in containers, on the deck, patio or balcony. They also do well in hanging baskets. € Now is the time to put in a summer vegetable garden. This can be especially fun with children. Prepare the bed well with nutrient-rich soil and good drainage; start small and with a limited variety; watch out for pests, especially the first few nights of blooming when snails can wipe out your tender crops. € Snails, slugs and earwigs, among others, come out in the spring. See your nursery for appropriate products, including some that will control snails and slugs but not harm pets. € Your garden can influence your PG&E bill - plant deciduous trees, which will shade your home in the summer and lose their leafs in the winter to allow the sun to shine on your home.