Garden checklist
Gardening is a way of life in the Cape Fear region. Those beautiful azaleas and dogwoods that decorate the city each spring don't just pop up automatically, you know. Even in such a forgiving climate as Fayetteville's, gardening requires planning, pruning and preparation. Here are some seasonal tips to exercise your green thumb:
FALL
Shorter days, and eventually frost will end the peak growing season, but there's still plenty to do. Clear out your annuals, and plant your winter crops while the ground still is warm.
Remember that some areas will be getting more sun (and therefore will support such flowers as pansies and snapdragons) because of leaf drop starting in November.
Looking for some winter crops for a small garden? The local conditions are great for collards and other greens, ornamental cabbage and lettuces.
As you pull up the remnants of a summer garden, consider using the dead plants to start a compost pile. That way, they'll be ready to use again by next spring.
WINTER
Some plants, such as pansies, can handle the cold, but this is the quiet time for most gardening. It's also a great time to prepare beds for the spring and summer, when the real action starts.
Take care of garden tools. Get the chainsaw and tiller tuned. Have everything ready when you get gardening fever.
Winter's the time to do the digging. Everything is dormant, and the mosquitoes are missing. Chop away!
If you're a rookie, design your garden. Lay it out with a hose pipe, and figure out just how many plants you'll need. Will you need drip irrigation?
If you're a gardening veteran, do you want to change anything? New colors, new locations, something different?
Use pre-emergent weed killer before the soil gets warm. You'll have a lot less weed pulling to do in the spring.
SPRING
Don't be hasty. Frost can hit as late as mid-April in this area. Use your energy in turning the soil (go a good 10-12 inches if the clay lets you) and add manure or plant matter for nutrients.
You still can plant hardy crops, such as collards and carrots, if you wish. Snapdragons and pansies are the best bet for early spring flowers. As the danger of frost eases, you'll find a world of flowers and vegetables thrive in the region.
As it gets warm, you'll meet a few resident pests: gnats and mosquitoes. Fire ants will start popping up, as well, so newcomers need to be extra cautious until you're used to spotting them.
SUMMER
If it's a dry summer, get used to rising early to water your plants. If it's a wet summer, get used to pulling weeds. The best time to do either is early in the morning, before the sun and humidity get too high.
Keep fruit and vegetable plants properly picked. Don't forget to deadhead flowers, too. The more you pluck, the more they bloom. Stake the tomatoes you planted, because by now they're getting pretty big.
New to the South? Give okra plants a try. They grow well and are prolific producers with proper care.
If this is your first garden in the region, watch to see which plants thrive in the sun and heat and which seem to fade. It will help in planning next year's garden.