From the Ground Up: There’s plenty to do to get ready for spring gardening

Easter's a bit earlier this year, but it reminds us that it's getting to be gardening weather. But with Iowa's erratic March weather, sometimes we aren't sure what we can and cannot do. When the weather is nice we all want to be working outside, so what can be done?

This is a good time to edge your flower beds. If your lawn has crept into your flower beds now is a good time to use a manual edger and cut back the sod. Since the ground is still thawing and wet, don't step into the flower beds. Walking in your garden or flower beds will compress the soil, which will inhibit root growth for perennials and new seeds. If it's absolutely necessary to get into your flower beds, use a board to stand on which will distribute your weight over a larger area.

If you have a cold frame now is a good time to start annual bulbs such as dahlias, cannas and calla lilies in pots in the cold frame. If temperatures drop below freezing a 100 watt lightbulb will keep the temperature up or covering the frame with a heavy rug or blanket in the evening will also keep the plants from freezing. A cold frame can be easily constructed by building a wooden box and covering with an old window. Some gardeners have used straw bales for the exterior walls and reused the straw bales for straw bale gardening later in the season.

Check any bulbs you have stored for rot and spoilage. A rotting bulb will quickly spoil the healthy bulbs stored around it. Discard all spoiled bulbs.

Clean up all dead foliage from around iris. The iris are starting to show green and the dead foliage is harboring the iris bore and needs to be discarded. Again do this chore at arms length so you don't compress the soil in the flower bed.

Wait to trim back mums. The tender shoots of the mums are not deep rooted and can be easily pulled up. The tiny shoots are also susceptible to the cold temperatures and late March and early April can be very cold. Leave dead foliage and mulch in place around your mums.

If you are moving tall flowering stalks such as sedums, hostas, columbine, coral bells or other perennials cut the stalks, don't pull on them because it is easy to pull up the plant in spring without intending to, damaging the roots.

If you have a grape arbor now is the time to prune grape vines. Other pruning can still be done as well.

Call the Linn County Master gardener hotline at 319-447-0647 for instructions on how to prune grapes or any garden related questions.