Shrub and Tree Garden in Mid-Spring: Blossoms, Weeds, and Weather Protection

Spring's presence is undeniable now. Cherries, pears, plums in flower; wall-grown peaches/nectarines setting fruit; many shrubs/trees blossoming. New leaves/shoots sprouting everywhere—so are weeds. Urgent weeding needed: rose-beds, hedge bottoms, trained fruit on walls/dividers, specimen trees in beds.

Pruning continues as major activity. Some planting, and time to start layering various shrubs. Winter-stratified seeds and others can be sown; cuttings in sheltered gardens.

Woody plants seem immune to bad weather, but only short spells. Prolonged cold, drought, waterlogging, wind take severe toll—doesn't show until months or even a year later. By then, other unfavorable weather may compound damage into a small, unhappy plant, if it survives.

It's crucial to foresee problems and ameliorate before they last more than a week or two. Example: early spring cold wind, bright sun, drought for six+ weeks kills newly-planted evergreens unless you erect a wind barrier, keep soil moist, spray top growth daily.

Insect friends/foes active, disease spores floating millions, possible bird/animal trouble. Seasonal jobs starting now: blueing hydrangeas, making compost, mowing orchard swards, deadheading flowering shrubs.