Pruning Smarter & Starting Seeds Right
On this episode of MidAmerican Gardener, host Tinisha Spain welcomes Vermilion County Master Gardener John Bodensteiner for a timely conversation about late winter gardening tasks.
As we look ahead to the big time change this weekend warmer days are ahead.
It may be March, but winter conditions still very much affect everything from bloom timing to pruning decisions right now
A major focus of this and several upcoming episode is pruning, and John breaks down the essential rule that saves many spring gardens from disappointment: if it blooms before June, don’t prune it now. Shrubs like lilacs, forsythia, magnolia, rhododendron, and other spring-flowering favorites have already set their buds. Cutting them back too early means sacrificing this year’s flowers.
Viewers also learn proper cutting techniques, including how to prune at a 45-degree angle above a bud, why you should never remove more than one-third of a shrub at a time, and how to rejuvenate overgrown lilacs by removing older canes at ground level. The discussion also covers maple trees during sap season, light shaping for evergreens, and the importance of clean, sharp tools to prevent disease.
The episode closes with detailed seed-starting tips designed to set your upcoming gardens up for success. John explains why a sterile seed-starting mix is preferable to potting soil, how to properly moisten the medium before planting, and why drainage holes are non-negotiable when you’re getting your seedlings off to a good start.
