‘Perennials for Permanence’ – growing season begins!

From Zelpha A. Boyd
Perennial flowers are the mainstay of the flower garden – they take less maintenance than annuals and don’t need to be replanted every year. Perennial vegetables and fruit fit the same category.
Cherry, apple and plum trees, asparagus, raspberries, grape vines, strawberries and rhubarb, are all good bets for this area. The local nurseries have the hardier varieties and can give good advice on planting and care. Beware of products from the big box stores, as a lot of these aren’t suited for our climate.
Bare root stock can be planted now – as Jerry Cashman says, these are easier to plant, less costly, and there’s no plastic containers to send to the landfill. Getting them in early while we still have rains and cool nights helps them get a good start.
When planting trees and shrubs, dig a large hole, place the roots so they can be spread out. You don’t want them crunched down and crowded so they go in circles. Trees need to be placed at the same ground level as they were when previously grown. Shovel in a good mixture of compost and top soil, watering in well, so the roots are supported and covered. The same procedure applies for berry bushes, grapes and strawberries.
As for maintenance, water deeply and less often during the growing season. The water needs to penetrate deeply to the roots. Watering shallowly encourages roots to come to the water at the top of the soil, where they can dry more readily. Mulching with grass clippings, or rough compost will help keep the ground moist, especially in hot weather. Taper off watering in late summer, allowing the plant to harden off for winter.
Treat pests and diseases with natural products, such as what you can find at Planet Natural. These do no harm to the environment, pets or humans. Guard against other “pests” too. My dog eats the strawberries right off the plant before they’re even ripe! They could be covered?
Pruning? That’s a whole other matter. But a few hints: trim out water shoots, those that spike at right angles upward. Trim out inner branches allowing all the fruit to get sunshine. Always use sharp tools, cut cleanly. And never trim more than a third of the tree or shrub at one time.
Now most of all! Enjoy the fruit of your labor. Eat the fruit right off the plant, can or freeze, but relish thoroughly. My raspberries don’t even get to the house – so delicious right off the canes!
Have a happy growing season!