Published: Friday, February 28, 2014 at 7:27 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, February 28, 2014 at 7:27 p.m.

Gardening has been on the minds of many North Florida residents, the stubborn cold temperatures of late notwithstanding. And while most experienced gardeners know the steps needed to begin the season on the right foot, we talked to landscape and gardening experts for suggestions on how to start the season right.

One note: The area isn't past its final cold snap. The average last killing freeze is March 10, after which it's considered safe to plant.

Another note: The University of Florida Extension Soil Testing Lab is offering free soil testing at its third annual and newly renamed Lawn and Garden Fest on March 29. It's a good way to know with certainty what your yard needs. More on that later.

Depending on the micro climate in a particular yard, the growth of the lawn slowed down or stopped altogether for the winter. As the days get longer and the temperatures increase, the lawn will start to grow. It may seem obvious, but a good first step is to check that your mower is in good condition. Blades should be sharpened at least once a year to ensure a clean cut.

TIP: Mowing heights for different types of grass: St. Augustine 3 to 4 inches; Bahia 3 to 4 inches; Zoysia 2 to 2 inches

TIP: In general, depending on the amount of shade and soil type, irrigate once a week during the spring and once or twice a week during the summer. The amount of water needed does not vary: to inch of water.

TIP: If you maintain your own lawn, fertilization should take place after April 1, when the likelihood of a late frost has passed and new growth has started. During the winter, warm-season grasses lose a portion of their root system, reducing their ability to take up fertilizer. Fertilizing too early increases the risk of leaching nutrients into the groundwater supply and causing water pollution.

TIP: Read directions carefully, and look for the correct ratio of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium for your grass.

One of the first things the nurse does during a doctor's visit is take a person's blood pressure. It gives an index of what else is going on in the body.

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Spring garden primer

It appears that the worst weather is over for us; and what a winter it was. It will be very interesting to see what our landscape looks like in another month or so. The wintery conditions sure did not seem to play havoc with our flower bulbs as I see them coming up beautifully in my yard and all over town. The flowering apricot trees are also in full regalia.

My winter vegetable garden was a disaster this year. Last week I re-planted seeds for radishes, kale and carrots; and planted sugar snap peas. Hopefully, the heavy rains will not rot them before they have a chance to germinate.

Here are some tips you may find helpful for tending to your landscape in the month of March.

Trees and shrubs: Finish pruning crape myrtles, but avoid the temptation to cut them back severely. Only remove crossing or broken branches and cut off old seed pods. Apply slow release fertilizer around the drip line of trees and shrubs. Dont trim hydrangeas even though their stems may look dead, as this springs flower buds are contained there.

Flowers: Prune roses. Begin a fungicide spray program for disease-prone varieties when new leaves appear or replace them with a hardier variety like Knockouts. Broadcast slow release fertilizer on perennial beds. You can divide perennials such as hostas, day lilies and phlox as soon as new growth appears.

Lawns: Dont water dormant lawns except during extended spells of warm windy weather or if the soil becomes powder dry. March is the last window to kill cool season weeds before green up. You might want to visit Williams Farm and Garden or Trent Hardware for advice regarding cool season weed control. Wait until late May to fertilize established lawns.

Vegetables: Set out small cabbage, swiss chard, kale, broccoli an bok choy plants. Continue sowing lettuce and radish seeds every few weeks for a steady salad supply.

Fruits: Fertilize fruit trees, grapes and berries with a slow release product.

If you keep on top of these tasks, taking care of your yard will not become overwhelming.

This months topic for the third Saturday workshop at the Craven County Cooperative Extension Office is Plants That Succeed. It will be on March 15 from 10 a.m. to noon. It sounds like a very informative topic, so dont miss it. March 17, also, begins the third Monday garden tours in the demonstration gardens there. The one hour tours, beginning at 5:30 p.m. are open to the public. Each month Tom Glasgow discusses different plants that thrive in the local landscape. These events are free. I hope to see you there.

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Judi Lloyd: Gardening tips for the month of March

The State government is planning to open subsidised canteens that provide food at affordable cost in Bangalore on a pilot basis, on the lines of those set up by the Tamil Nadu government.

It is said that the Department of Food and Civil Supplies is planning to offer quality food for everyone in ahygienic environment at such canteens. Government sources told The Hindu that the Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Dinesh Gundu Rao was planning to open subsidised canteens initially at bus- stands, railway stations, government hospitals, and in the agricultural produce marketing committee yard here.

Efforts were on to convince Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the need to open such canteens, especially to cater for labourers and autorickshaw drivers, a senior official said.

The official said the government plans to run the canteens with the help of non-governmental organisations. The plan is to serve rice and rice-based dishes such as idlis, pongal, bisibelebath, chitranna and puliyogare at a nominal price. Issues such as finances and procurement of grain, however, were yet to be sorted out. When contacted, Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao confirmed that the government was planning to launch this welfare project. He, however, said modalities had to be worked out before taking a decision on launching the project. He said the plan was not aimed at reaping political benefit at the time of the Lok Sabha elections. Even if the government decides to give the go ahead, it would be launched only after the general elections.

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Subsidised canteens may dot Bangalores landscape

By MATT HOPF Herald-Whig Staff Writer

The Quincy City Council has rejected a proposed five-year contract with a Decatur-based company that has operated the city's yard-waste program since 2003 after hearing complaints from another bidder.

Evans Recycling had received $529,362 per year since the original deal was extended in 2008 and expired last year, and a new deal was expected to be approved Monday night.

However, Jack Brockhouse of Jacksonville said his bid -- which was rejected by the city because he didn't have the necessary Illinois Environmental Protection Agency permits and no place to dump yard waste -- argued that he could save the city $400,000 over the life of a five-year deal.

"I've got the equipment," he said. "It's all leased. It's all brand new. As far as having two trucks, I have a backup truck coming if I get the proposal."

The city requested proposals for yard waste collection when it sought garbage and recycling collection proposals last fall. Exact costs have not been released, because bids weren't sought.

Mayor Kyle Moore said a resolution on Brockhouse's proposal would be drafted for next week's meeting.

Rex Evans, owner of Evans Recycling, told aldermen that his company currently operates in several cities, which benefited Quincy during the 2011 windstorm that caused significant damage across the city.

"At that time, we were able to take in, just city residents alone, 1,400 people per day," he said. "That doesn't include the city trucks, the state trucks, the county trucks and all of the other people as far as your landscape trucks that were able to do it."

Evans said the storm basically doubled the expenses for the firm in 2011.

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Council rejects new five-year contract to current yard waste collection company

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By: Agent Marketing videos

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1768 Mary Rd, Acton, CA 93510 - Video

But landscapers say now is still a good time to put in plants and trees, they just may cost you a little more and look a little different.

Businesses and home owners have more options for landscaping than they probably realize.

Even though officials with Longo Landscaping say business is down with the drought, they're finding new ways to make yards come alive.

Landscape coordinator Micheal Hague says landscaping in the drought is about efficiency and planning for when we do get rain.

That's why his latest project has a desert theme.

It includes drought resistant plants and grass.

Doing things where you don't have to do big expansive areas of grass, doing just decorate gravel areas, you know there are so many things you can do with gravel these days as far as coloring and then boulders, there are things like that that give you color without having to plant stuff, says Hague.

Being adaptable has helped his company survive during the drought, despite having less business.

Our business is down about 60% from last year, it's been a struggle, but like i said it's gone from more stone laying than it has to landscaping, we're doing more hardscaping, says Hague.

And to keep what they do plant alive he installed two types of drip systems..one for the Bermuda grass and one for plants.

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Landscapers Adapt to Drought by Using Alternative Landscape Options

From herbs and composting to Earth-friendly lawn care, you'll find a wide variety of topics at the "Art of Gardening in Muscatine County."

The event will be Saturday, March 15, at Muscatine Community College, or MCC, sponsored by the college, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and the ISU/Muscatine County Master Gardeners.

The day includes your choice of 25 different sessions (participants may choose a total of four), lunch, three mini-sessions(participants may choose one) and a keynote address on designing a sustainable landscape by Lisa Orgler, an ISU professor of horticulture.

Session 1,8:30-9:25 a.m.

"The Language of Flowers, A Victorian Romance," Debbie Main, Linn County (Iowa) Master Gardener. Structures, color and variety all played a part in the Victorian garden.

"Wonders of the Prairie," Julie Jenkins and Mary Delaney, Ion Exchange, Harper's Ferry, Iowa. Planting a bit of prairie offers an opportunity for your family to experience the natural world withbirds and butterflies.

"Thinking About a Home Greenhouse?" Phil Pfister, Linn County (Iowa) Master Gardener. Siteselection,material options, calculating heat and cooling requirements, plant care and integrated pest management.

"Vegetables and Raised Beds," Janet Freeborn, MCC horticulture instructor. The best plant combinations for raised beds.

"Plants for Problem Areas," Dan Mays, Scott County Master Gardener (see today's cover story)

"Trees Can Help You Tap into Teen Power," Patty Peterson, community educator, Trees Forever.Learn the key developed by Trees Forever to motivate teens and the six things that keep them involved.

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Seminar topics include herbs, composting, lawn care

This years spring gardening season will hit the Oregon Convention Center in Portland this coming weekend.

On Feb. 28, the annual Yard, Garden & Patio Show will stir everyones imagination with a palette of entertaining spaces, designs for meditation and relaxation, whimsical fairy features and edible gardens.

Whether you aspire to create a yard with a waterfall, sustainable elements or floral and foliage features, this years Yard, Garden & Patio Show will inspire you to dream, while also teaching you how to make that dream garden a reality, said Allan Niemi, director of events and education for the Oregon Association of Nurseries. The Enchanted Food Forest, spaces for family and friends to gather, and other unique garden features will bring out the outdoor designer in everyone, no matter how green their thumb is or perhaps isnt!

Among the many features at the show will be outdoor cooking demonstrations from Portland-area restaurants, small garden vignettes and of course the main attraction: the Designers Challenge Showcase Gardens. Local landscapers will be creating seven gardens that incorporate solutions to common landscape challenges faced by Northwest gardeners.

A value of a yard, garden and patio show is it can inspire people to see opportunity that they might be able to sneak into their own home, said Drew Snodgrass, one of the owners of Dennis 7 Dees.

There will be sustainable living options, outdoor cooking classes from notable local chefs, edible gardens including a food forest, and free seminars geared to novice or master gardeners.

The main exhibit hall will be packed with hundreds of booths showcasing a variety of plants, gardening equipment, garden art, structures, decking, patios, and landscape professionals everything needed for imagining, starting and completing gardening projects. Niemi added that there is a sustainable living theme at this years show.

We are proud of our sustainability focus and encourage everyone to come and learn real, tangible things they can do to help our environment literally in their own backyards, he said. From the seminars and demonstrations to the Urban Edible Garden and Cracked Pots artists, there are a plethora of ideas to inspire every level of gardener.

Art showcased by the all-volunteer, non-profit organization Cracked Pots brings a total of 26 artists displaying hundreds of uniquely crafted and inspired pieces of art made from recycled items.

One of the artists, Oregon City resident Ben Dye, has carved out a niche creating drums from recycled propane tanks. He will also be unveiling a 12-foot tall dragonfly statue named St. Georges Horse at the show.

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Great gardening abounds at the Yard, Garden & Patio Show

Friday, February 21, 2014 - 11:49am

February 21st, 2014 The last three weeks my car has been covered in pine tree sap. The original owner of the house had planted a row of desert pines on the outside of the driveway and a couple more on the other side near the house. They look great and stay green all year long. The also provide a bit of shade from the late day sun. The sap provided the motivation for todays Weather Talk. Trees can be beneficial in many ways if you plant the right type, plant them in the right place they can help shelter your house from the weather and save you money.

Trees bring beauty to home landscapes, but a tree can also serve a practical purpose when it stands near a house; its shade can increase the efficiency of summer cooling and its shelter can save heating costs by protecting walls and windows from strong winds. Choose the trees you plant near your home using some specific criteria to ensure their long-term beauty and safety.

The tree you plant near your house should be of compact growth above and below ground. Wide, spreading canopies can fill gutters with spring and fall debris and even grow under roof tile or shingles, compromising roofing. Aggressive root systems can invade the sewer lines and foundations. Deep roots can burrow under basements in search of moisture, causing dry soil to subside, or fall away, resulting in cracked cement floors and walls. In fire-prone areas, use fire-resistant trees and plant them beyond the 30-foot open zone recommended by wildfire experts.

We live in a desert area. The U.S.. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a Hardiness zone map for plants and trees based on that areas climate. http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ We live in what the USDA classifies as zone 8a. We have to have some pretty hardy trees to survive the desert heat and lack of water! The Arbor Day Foundation has a list of the 30 most popular trees for zone 8. Some of these are in my neighborhood and I will list a few.

White Pine Weeping Willow Sugar Maple Tulip Tree (Yellow Poplar) Red Dogwood Pink Dogwood River Birch Lace bark Elm Black Walnut Leyland Cypress Saucer Magnolia Camellia Red Maple Hybrid Poplar

The Arbor Day Foundation also has a tree calculator. That will calculate the savings a certain type and size of tree planted near your house saves you each year based on your zip code. Very cool! They calculate the savings of electricity, natural gas, storm water, CO2 and its effect on property value. My 40 in diameter Southwestern White Pine in central El Paso provides $45 a year in benefits! Here is the web address; https://www.arborday.org/calculator/index.cfm?

Here is the best list I found from the Arbor Day Foundation of what to take into considering when planning where to plant your trees;

A healthy community forest begins with careful planning. With a little research and a simple layout, you can produce a landscape that will cool your home in summer and tame the winter winds. Your well-planned yard will contain trees that grow well in the soil and moisture of your neighborhood. Your trees will be properly placed to avoid collisions with power lines and buildings, and the aesthetics will increase your property value. A proper landscape plan takes each tree into consideration: 1. Height. Will the tree bump into anything when it is fully grown? [sizing guide] 2. Canopy spread. How wide will the tree grow? 3. Is the tree deciduous or coniferous? (Will it lose its leaves in the winter?) 4. Form or shape. A columnar tree will grow in less space. Round and V-Shaped species provide the most shade. [shape guide] 5. Growth rate. How long will it take for your tree to reach its full height? Slow growing species typically live longer than fast growing species. 6. Soil, sun, and moisture requirements. 7. Fruit. No one wants messy droppings on busy sidewalks. 8. Hardiness zone indicates the temperature extremes in which a tree can be expected to grow. For the purposes of this quiz hardiness zone considerations have been disregarded. Check with your community's tree board or forestry department or a local county cooperative extension agent for a list of trees suitable for planting in your specific hardiness zone. (Arborday.org hardiness zones lookup.)

All this information makes me want to go to a nursery and buy some trees! Trees do add beauty to your yard, shade and wind protection to your house. If you pick our the right type of tree, plant it in the proper location and good tree will give you years of shelter, enjoyment and it may even help you save money!

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Johnny Appleseed Was Right! Plant More Trees!

To anyone stuck inside, last week was truly magical - snow everywhere. However, I spent the better part of two days shovelingand that was just one storm! After each incident, I thought my hand would never recover from the shovel shape of my glove.

I look outside my window and wonder how my garden will survive and how it will look in the coming months. So many shrubs arched over from the weight of the snow and ice. I wonder if they will recover. The tall, majestic bamboo confined to the corner of my yard has several stems that touch the ground. I love them because they provide year-round green and gently move in the wind. But now the outer most stems have taken on a different posture. If anyone were sitting around the fire pit in my backyard, they would surely be tickled by its leaves.

I am more concerned about the arborvitaes that I have planted as screening material along a portion of my side yard. When I opened the mini blinds from my bedroom window, I saw the row of evergreens bent over like dominoes.except they were every which way and not a straight line like in the game. Even though they have been bent in prior storms, the stakes I inserted near the center of the shrub and tied the stems with twine have not held the shrubs in place. It makes me sad to think that I might have to replace them.

It is said that snow is an insulator. According to an article I read that appeared in the Dec. 29 edition of the Chicago Tribune, "fresh snow is an excellent insulator. Ten inches of fresh snow is approximately equal to a six-inch layer of fiberglass insulation." Nothing can get through the snow - no air (it's trapped in the spaces between the flakes) and no wind which is why it is such a good insulator.

In basketball, we have what's known as March Madness. Generally, it occurs sometime mid-month and only the most talented of teams square off for the national championship. I know it's only the middle of February, but somehow or another, I think that's when we will finally see some green earth. I'll call it the March Meltdown. And maybe it will be just in time for my favorite nursery plant sale at Eisele's Nursery in Paramus.

In the meantime, there are some great very early spring bulb plants to look forward to seeing. They are Snowdrops (Galantus woronowii), Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), and Crocus (Crocus).

Between the mountains of snow everywhere, I have no idea when the winter snowdrops will make their appearance. Right now they are under several feet of snow with a layer of ice somewhere in the middle. These "white-winged teardrop" blooms appear as snow melts in late winter/early spring; they are sweet, 4to-6 inch dainty blooms and are best for rock gardens.

Winter aconite have honey-scented yellow flowers that carpet the earth. They naturalize easily in lawns, rock gardens and under trees; they are self-seeding and will continue to reward the gardener year after year. Most of my readers know I am a fan of Cecily Mary Barker. This is her "Song of the Winter Aconite Fairy":

Deep in the earth

I woke, I stirred.

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Wiest: Mother Nature blankets the village in degrees of white