As we experience more daylight and the temperature begins to climb, thoughts can turn towards our gardens. Spring is not far off, and the time has come to evaluate your garden and/or green space. Some of the items to look for while evaluating your garden:

• snow or ice damage to trees and shrubs,
• foreign objects that may have found their way into your planting beds,
• erosion areas and other potential problems or challenges.

While outdoor planting is not recommended at this time due to soil condition and the likelihood, dare we say, of more snow, some maintenance pruning and general garden clean-up should occur. In a previous Green Thumb Tuesday we advised adding perennials with winter interest to your garden or green space. Now is the time to prune back any old growth that was left for winter color and/or texture. Pictured today is Sedum ‘Autumn Joy', a mid to late summer flowering perennial, at the Liberty Tunnel Gateway Garden.

When pruning any old growth, be careful not to damage the crown of the plant. The crown is the area where the root and stem merge. It is better to exercise caution and leave some of the old growth. This practice helps to identify and protect the delicate new growth of plants.

Today's photo was taken yesterday by WPC Landscape Specialist and resident Green Thumb Photographer Art DeMeo.

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