It happens every year in Central Oregon. Late February or early March rolls around, the sun comes out, and temperatures tease us with a glorious, warm week. We call it "False Spring." It’s the time of year when we all get the itch to get outside, uncover the garden, and turn on the sprinklers.
But here at The Grounds Keeper, we have one piece of advice that might save you hundreds of dollars and a lot of heartache: Wait.
As your single point of contact for home and yard care in Bend, we want to help you avoid the common mistakes that come with our region's tricky microclimate. Here is why you should hit the "pause" button on spring gardening, and what you can tackle right now instead.
1. Don't Uncover Everything Yet: The Magic of Mulch
When that 60-degree day hits, it is tempting to rake away the winter mulch to see what’s sprouting underneath. Resist the urge! In the high desert, mulch isn't just about weed control; it is your garden's winter coat.
According to the OSU Extension Service, mulch acts as insulation that keeps the soil temperature consistent. If you remove it too early during a warm spell, the soil warms up rapidly, tricking your perennials and bulbs into waking up. When—not if—the freezing temperatures return in April or May, those tender new shoots can be damaged or killed. Keep that protective layer in place until we are consistently clear of hard frosts, usually in May.
2. The Irrigation Trap: Keep the Water Off
This is the most costly mistake we see. You see dry ground, so you want to fire up the irrigation system. However, turning your sprinklers on in March is a gamble with high odds of failure.
In Bend, night-time lows frequently dip well below freezing through April. If you pressurize your system now, water trapped in the pipes or your backflow assembly can freeze, expand, and crack the components. As noted by local water conservation resources, irrigation needs in February and March are typically zero because plants are dormant.
Save yourself the cost of emergency plumbing repairs. If you are worried about a specific dry tree or shrub, water it by hand with a hose on a warmer afternoon, then disconnect the hose immediately. Let us schedule your professional irrigation start-up for when the weather is truly safe.
3. What You CAN Do Now
Just because you aren't planting petunias doesn't mean you have to stay on the couch. There is plenty of work to be done to prepare for the real spring:
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Pruning: Late winter is actually a great time for structural pruning of dormant deciduous trees and shrubs, before the leaves emerge. It allows you to see the structure of the plant clearly and remove damaged or crossing branches.
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Hardscape Planning: Now is the perfect time to plan that new patio, walkway, or retaining wall. By the time the ground thaws, you will be ready to break ground while everyone else is just starting to call contractors.
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The "Not-So-Fun" Cleanup: Let’s be honest—winter hides a lot of "dog debris." A warm week is the ideal time to do a comprehensive yard patrol and waste removal so your lawn is clean and sanitary for the season ahead.
One Call, Complete Peace of Mind
Navigating Bend’s weather can be tough, but caring for your property shouldn't be. Whether you need a dormant prune now, a safe irrigation start-up later, or a complete spring cleanup when the time is right, The Grounds Keeper has you covered.
Contact us today to get on our schedule for the real spring rush.
References:
- OSU Extension Service. "Winter care of perennials in central Oregon." Oregon State University. Link
- OSU Extension Service. "Lawn maintenance calendar for Central Oregon." Oregon State University. Link
- Bend Bulletin. "Gardening corner: Don't let a false spring get you down." The Bulletin. Link