Be patient — spring is almost here!

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.””

— Hal Borland

Many of us are frustrated with the appearance of our beautiful flowers and trees. Winter’s cooler temperatures can be challenging for our favorite heat-loving plants! But do not despair — many of the flowers and trees that look so sad at the moment are not dead! Do not pull them up or cut off the brown leaves. These brown areas can help protect the plants against future cold temperatures. It is best to wait until frost season is completely over before pruning.

Although early March is even more safe, wait at least until after Valentine's Day before you consider pruning your plants. Then, look at the extended weather forecast. If temperatures are predicted to stay warm for the couple weeks ahead, it may be safe to begin cutting back your plants. Keep these tips in mind when helping your plants recover from the winter freezes:

• Cold/frost burn causes the brown leaves. Many of these plants are not dead!

• Once warmer temperatures are here to stay, prune plants down to at least where the first green shows. If you do not see green stems and leaves, the plant is most likely dead.

• But it can sometimes be difficult to determine if the plant is still alive. If you are unsure, allow three weeks for a plant to produce new growth. If there is still no new growth after a few weeks, remove and replace the plant.

• Fertilizing is also important at this time. Be sure to follow the instructions on your specific fertilizer.

Remember to continue fertilizing your palms and citrus trees every three months. If you have not fertilized recently, February is a great time to give these plants some extra nutrients ahead of spring growth. Look for fertilizer that is specific to palm trees or citrus trees, and carefully follow the instructions on the label.

Finally, it is a good time to prepare your lawn for the coming spring and summer seasons. Use warm days to check your irrigation system for broken or misdirected sprinkler heads. Once temperatures will remain above 65 degrees for four to five days, it is important to apply a pre-emergent weed killer to your lawn. Note that this pre-emergent is not a “weed and feed” fertilizer; it is solely a weed treatment to help control weeds in your lawn throughout the coming season. For best results, it is important to time this application just as temperatures warm up!

Be patient — spring is coming soon!

Flower of the Week: Bush Daisy

Please email Kathy at kcg.pvr@gmail.com for any questions or gardening tips you would like to see in the future. For more information and ideas, visit Kathy’s Creative Gardens & Nursery, 196 N. Roscoe Blvd. The phone number is 904-655-7373.