Major Works In March-April

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

The awakening of nature begins when there is still snow everywhere. March - the beginning of the active work of the gardener. You must definitely visit your country estate and prepare the garden for the summer. Every little thing that you forget about can be reflected in the future harvest. Let's talk about the most urgent matters: weed control, soil preparation, pruning, whitewashing

Main events in March

1. During the period of active snow melting, you need to skillfully manage the abundance of water. In high areas, transverse grooves are created to evenly move the flowing down moisture. This will prevent washing out of the fertile layers. In lowlands, it is required to remove stagnant water and make drainage. It is important to ensure the outflow of melt water from plantings of raspberries and strawberries.

2. Preparing the soil, working with snow. The procedure consists of breaking the infusion and removing the snow seals. Around the trees and bushes, the snow mass builds up and is trampled down. This helps to concentrate and retain moisture.

3. Berry bushes are cleaned of pests, poured over from a watering can with hot water.

4. At the end of March, the prevention of fruit bushes is carried out. On examination, twisted and dried branches are revealed and removed, as well as with powdery mildew, flames, black-gray dots and bloom. Spraying with copper sulfate is carried out. At positive temperatures, processing is carried out with chemicals.

5. March is dangerous for tree bark. This is the time of the most severe UV injuries. Treatment of trunks with sunscreen emulsions, whitewashing is required.

6. Mineral fertilizers are scattered under the crown, which with melt water will support future fruiting.

7. Procurement of grafting cuttings for spring operations or rooting is underway. The period may continue until bud break.

Weed control

For many, such an event at the beginning of spring seems surprising. The method is simple and effective. A layer of peat, ash or ordinary earth is applied to the snow-covered beds. It is covered with an old film, fixed with poles, pipes, stones.

This will accelerate the melting of snow and the germination of weeds. The cover is removed when shoots are visible. Now loosen the soil with a hoe or rake. After two days, cover and repeat the procedure. As a result, your vegetable beds will not need weeding until at least mid-summer.

Berry bushes

Inspection of branches is carried out, thickening is eliminated. The crown is being adjusted: 12-15 branches of different ages and 5-7 annual shoots. All underdeveloped shoots directed towards the inside of the bush, inclined to the ground, should be cut off. Old 7-8 year old branches are cut at the base. Shorten the ends of fruiting shoots (black currant) by 10-15 cm.

The kidneys affected by the mite are plucked out; they are enlarged and spherical in shape. Scabbards are scraped off with a sharp object, which stand out on the bark in the form of light beige "commas".

Containers with naphthalene or bleach powder are poured into the middle of the bush against the sawer and the firewood. On the ground, according to the projection of the crown, mustard and ash are poured and covered with roofing material, tar paper, film. This will exclude the release of pests from the soil.

Barrel damage

Try to detect mechanical injuries of bark and wood in early spring and take action. If hares have visited your area and have eaten young branches … Remove them completely or make a cut on the lateral bud in the desired direction with a pruner.

Vole mice do more damage. Eating bark and wood, they can completely destroy a young bush or tree. Minor wounds can be ignored - they will heal on their own. In case of significant damage, you need to clean the edge of the bark and close the entire plane with garden pitch. This technique will prevent drying out.

Sometimes heavy snow mass and wind will cause splitting. This happens especially often in old junipers. Timely measures will completely restore the affected bush or tree. Make a strong harness, restore the skeletal structure by connecting the fracture section. You can use regular duct tape. Place a block under the branches, a support-rogatulin.

Pruning fruit trees

Freezing can occur in winter. If the branch is damaged, it must be removed. It is easy to determine such a defect - cut the kidney. A healthy and full-fledged core will have a light green color. A brownish-brown tint indicates tissue dying off and such a branch can be safely cut off. Otherwise, it will become a breeding ground for fungi and infections.

In fruit-bearing trees, sanitary pruning is performed, the thickening of the crown is eliminated. This is the shortening or complete removal of branches. Tops are cut, shoots directed inside the crown, growing vertically.