State of the garden

March not only includes “Madness,” Unstable Weather and Good Intentions, attending to revitalization is necessary for success in our gardens.

After the Easter Bunny has collected all the plastic and rotting eggs from last years hiding places, it is time to actively make improvements. Pruning shrubs and trees that haven’t budded or leaved out is a good first investment of time.

Moss that has been happy under the cover of snow on turf grass all winter can be raked out or just left to dry in the sun. It is timely to address the cause of moss. When trees and other tall landscape structures shade the lawn, moisture is more abundant and moss loves it.

Along with too much shade, over-watering and low nutrients in the soil can contribute to the growth of moss. High levels of acid and soil compaction are other conditions favorable to moss.

Methods of removing mossy areas include pruning low tree and shrub branches, aerating the ground, reducing watering, and replacing vegetation with shade tolerant grass. Mainly, you want to incorporate more air into your soil.

If removal of those shade providing elements is not an option, incorporating more shade-tolerant ground cover might discourage the growth of moss.

Before you take your shovel to the project use a pencil to sketch the options. If you really don’t want to mow around your shade giving trees anymore anyhow, a carpet of shade and moist tolerant, plants such as vinca, sweet woodruff, or Japanese spurge might be attractive alternatives. Bulbs can be incorporated in this environment for next spring’s beauty as well.

If a mossy look is what you are going for, but don’t care for the invasive plague in your lawn, Scotch and Irish moss varieties are pleasing as long as the soil has good drainage. Slugs, unfortunately, like this delicate choice as well.

Other plants that appreciate shady conditions are hostas, hellebores, astilbe and Pacific bleeding heart, especially the native, Dicentra formosa, which has feathery leaves and blooms with pink or white flowers in April and May. Colorful varieties of coral bells, Heuchera, add intrigue all season. And the graceful Japanese Forest Grass, Hakonechloa macro, varieties are stunning in a shady garden.

Like the State of the Union, the state of the garden requires attention to foundation, sanctity and purpose. The State of our Gardens offer Peace, Hope and Prosperity.

— Margaret A. Swenson is a Washington State University Master Gardener. Contact her or other Master Gardeners via email at [email protected].