>Cold Wars

>Expect the unexpected – especially when gardening. Heedless of this area’s recent warm weather, last week Mother Nature bristled as if to remind us just exactly who’s in charge.
If you’re like most, you can’t wait. Even the strongest warnings of harsh weather couldn’t stem traffic in local nurseries the first balmy spring day – and why should it? Gardeners are seasoned gamblers after all, it’s part of the price we pay for jealous neighbors. Even so, now what do you do with the brown leaves and wilted stems that just a few short weeks ago represented your bid for the top gardening prize on your block?
Most damage probably looks worse than it really is. Trees and shrubs will generally suffer least, if at all – just prune off any damaged branches. If your perennials are at least a season old they’re probably fine and you may even already see new growth beginning at the base of the plant. If so, go ahead and prune burned leaves and stems. Younger perennials and tender annuals will have a harder time – if they haven’t started to bounce back by now you’ll probably need to reload at your local garden center.
As you continue to fill your landscape this spring, do a little research on plants specific to our zone (we’re a Zone-6-sometimes-7). With a few things hardy to the area in your garden you can spend the rest of your time buying whatever you want – after
all, we can’t have a frost again. At least we don’t expect it.