Your To-Do List for Spring

Check out our spring checklist for your Encore Azaleas and other rules of thumb for good spring garden keeping.

Share This

1.  Make the beds.

Gently remove leaves and all unwanted debris that has filled your beds over the last few months.

Though this debris at once served the purpose of protecting your plants from severe weather and helped create a layer of nutrients and moisture, your Encore® Azaleas are ready for some sun – and actually need it to grow healthy and strong.

 Put all organic waste in your compost pile to turn it into a valuable, nutrient-rich resource.

2.  Weed, feed, and mulch.

Pull out all weeds growing in the beds and choose the material that will reduce the weeds throughout the growing season, for example, pinestraw, bark, leaves or landscaping fabric.

 After beds have been cleared of all unwanted waste and weeds, add azalea plant food to ensure plants have the nutrients needed to grow, bud, and bloom.

• Fertilizer should never be applied when freezing weather is still a possibility.

 Apply a layer of newspaper, landscaping f abric, or whatever de-weeding material you choose and cover with a 2 – 4 inch layer of mulch.

The mulch will give your beds a fresh appearance and continue protecting roots and plants.

3.  Stir compost bin or build one.

  f you have a compost bin, turn the pile and add some water to dampen it.

*Turn it regularly to quicken the composting process.

 If you don’t already have a composting bin, build or purchase one now and start with the unwanted debris from your beds.

A composting bin also provides a great place for your raked leaves – organically recycle their nutrients and keep them out of the landfill.

4.  Apply pest control.

Whether choosing a natural or synthetic pest treatment, apply it now to keep out the critters from the beginning.

If the weather is getting warmer, you better believe the pests are out and ready to attack!

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions accordingly and with caution – always wash your hands when you’re done and keep pets and children away from the treated area.

5.  Complete or start landscaping projects.

If you started a landscaping project or want to start one, now is a good time since it’s the beginning of a new season and the weather is warmer, but not too warm.

Great projects to enhance your landscape include patios, pergolas, trellises, and walkways with stepping stones.

The several varieties and sizes of Encore Azaleas will compliment any project given the correct amount of sun and care.

6.  Plan new plantings and beds.

You should always plan your bed before purchasing plants.

 Decide where you want the new plants or beds in your yard and be thoughtful of the area’s light, water, and soil characteristics making sure the plants in a bed share the same growth habits.

Right now you won’t have a realistic picture of the lighting since the sun is positioned lower in the sky and the trees do not have any leaves – take these factors into consideration.

Remember Encore® Azaleas require at least 6 hours of full sun, preferably morning sun and afternoon shade.

With the sun rising the east and setting on the west, select a location on the eastside of your property, perhaps next to some trees to the west, so Encore Azaleas get their morning sun and afternoon shade.

For landscaping tips, check out our articles on container plantingcare tipsplanting instructions and cold hardiness (for those living in colder growing zones).

To watch our video on how to plant and care for your Encore Azaleas featuring Buddy Lee, inventor of Encore Azaleas, click here.

7.  Clean out the shed and feed the birds. 

•  Begin the new growing season by cleaning out the shed or area where you keep all your gardening materials and utensils.

Again, get rid of the old and prepare for the new.

Throw out or repurpose broken utensils and start a wish list of new utensils and materials.

Go ahead and add bird seed to the bird feeders – they are just as ready for spring as you and your flowers!

8.  As soon as frost and cold weather is no longer an issue, you should:

1.  Apply fertilizer.

2.  Transplant existing Encore® Azaleas, e.g. from pots, and plant new Encore® Azaleas.

And remember, do not prune Encore® Azaleas until after spring blooming!

To view our video on how to prune, click here.

To view the entire Encore Azalea Collection, click here.

Encore Azalea is the best azalea you’ll ever plant. Encore Azaleas are the world’s best-selling re-blooming azalea with rich, colorful blooms in spring, summer and fall. Encore Azaleas have 33 varieties of bloom colors and sizes to choose from and thrive equally well in high filtered shade or sunny locations – unlike any other azalea in the world. Find a retailer near you at www.encoreazalea.com.

Ready to Plant Your Masterpiece?