FIRST DAY OF SPRING

Yes, we know what the calendar says, but watch the weather.  Although the garden shops are starting to display wonderful flowers and vegetables, we still could hit by frost anytime over the next few weeks.  It is expected to dip below 30 on Thursday.

So on a day when night almost equals day, stay warm and read this interesting article about SPRING!

Everything You Need to Know

IT'S TIME TO PRUNE THE ROSES

Our Rose Garden Curator - Sandy

Weather permitting, our Rose Garden Curator has been instructing other Master Gardeners how to properly prune roses. We have 79 rose plants so this job takes a few days.   Different techniques are needed for the different rose types (shrub, climbing, tea, floribunda,  grandiflora, and miniature).  Additionally, using the right equipment (sharp pruners and lopers) and having protection from the thorns (notice the long, heavy gloves) is important.   Our curator tells us that we can't hurt a rose by pruning it.  It will grow back.  However, if you have any questions, you can always call our hotline at 902-1705.  In the meantime:

Click here for
 ROSES FOR NORTH CAROLINA article.
 and here for
 PRUNING ROSES .

Here are more pictures of one of the Pruning Days:

The Rose Crew

Cleaning Up the Debris

A Rose Ready for Spring with Proper Pruning

 Photos by AS

FLOWERING QUINCE

Chaenomelea speciosa

You can't miss this beautiful flowering quince in the Mixed Border Garden at the Arboretum.  It provides a nice burst of color in the late winter, early spring landscape.  Branches can be cut earlier to force blooms indoors.  Beware the spines though as the are members of the rose family.  The red berries you see are from the neighboring Weeping Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria 'Pendula') and not part of the quince shrub.

Click here for a fact sheet with all the details about FLOWERING QUINCE.

PITT COUNTY ARBORETUM WALKING TOUR

MARCH MADNESS

What's in bloom?

Can I still prune?

Has spring sprung?

Is there work to be done?

Come to the Arboretum and see.

Join the Extension Master Gardeners

for the next FREE WALKING TOUR

of the

PITT COUNTY ARBORETUM

Meet under the shelter

in front of the Ag Center.

March 7th, THURSDAY

Starting at 10:00 AM

Questions? Call (252) 902-1709