Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth in nature. The days get longer, temperatures rise, and dormant plants begin to grow again. For plant parents, spring is an exciting yet demanding time. While the new growth is a welcome sight, spring also brings many challenges that can make plant care more difficult. Here are some of the real reasons plant parents may slightly dread the arrival of spring.
More Watering and Fertilizing Needs
With spring comes increased light levels and warming temperatures. This spurs rapid new growth in plants, meaning they start consuming more water and nutrients. Whereas many houseplants can get by with minimal watering in winter, their needs surge in spring. More frequent watering and fertilizing is required to support growth and prevent leaf scorching or wilting. Determining the proper watering schedule takes diligence to avoid overwatering. Fertilizer must also be applied regularly according to label directions. For plant parents with large collections, keeping up with these heightened demands on time and effort can be daunting.
Increased Pest Pressure
Dormant insects start becoming active in spring, and populations can explode rapidly. Common houseplant pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale begin reproducing more. They can infest plants seemingly overnight, presenting a battle for diligent plant parents. Preventive pest control steps like using horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps is advisable before infestations take hold. Watching for early signs of pests and taking quick action is key. For those with many plants, inspecting and treating them can be quite labor-intensive.
Greater Disease Susceptibility
Just as pest pressure increases in spring, so does the threat of fungal and bacterial diseases. Plants putting on tender new growth and moving more water and nutrients are more vulnerable. Pathogens that cause leaf spots, blights, and wilts can take hold and spread rapidly in the moist conditions plants need in spring. Preventive fungicide applications may be required, especially for roses, fruit trees, and vegetables prone to disease. Monitoring for early symptoms daily and removing affected parts quickly helps limit damage. For plant parents, the heightened disease vigilance needed in spring can be tiring.
Increased Risk of Sunburn
Houseplants and newly planted seedlings are especially prone to sunburn in spring when they move from indoors or sheltered spaces to stronger outdoor light. Accustomed to lower light levels, their foliage can easily burn once set in brighter locations. Acclimatization over a week or two is required. Leaf scorching from shifting light too fast looks bad and stresses plants. Frequent adjustments of lighting conditions and graduality to avoid sunburn takes effort for plant parents. Moving plants in and out based on weather adds to the workload.
More Repotting and Pruning Tasks
The resumption of growth in spring means many plants need repotting into larger containers. Rootbound plants should be moved up a pot size to allow room for growth. Spring pruning is also advised to shape plants, improve flowering or remove dead branches from winter. With possible pruning and repotting tasks for every plant, this workload piles up for plant parents. Repotting can be especially messy and time consuming. Tidying up plants by cutting away yellowed leaves and spent flowers also continues through spring.
Confusion Over When to Start Hardening Off
Deciding precisely when to begin acclimating tender plants to being set outside is a perennial question for plant parents in spring. Starting the hardening off process too soon may expose plants to damaging frost. Waiting too long can result in leggy, stressed plants missing growth once outside. Determining the last average frost date only provides a rough guideline on timing. The variability of spring weather means hardening off requires daily monitoring of conditions and adjustment of the transition process. This meticulousness can be frustrating for plant parents eager to move plants outside.
More Time Spent Hunting for New Plants and Supplies
For enthusiastic plant parents, spring triggers the urge to expand collections and buy new plants, pots and supplies. Garden centers and nurseries become irresistible once stocked with abundant choices in spring. The hunt for interesting new varieties or hard-to-find specimens takes time and diligence. Comparing options at different garden stores draws out shopping trips. Hoarding supplies for repotting and spring plant care also accumulates costs. For plant lovers, limiting spring purchases takes serious willpower.
Increased Need for Vigilance Against Frost Damage
The frosts that can still arrive after the average last frost date keep plant parents on high alert. Protecting seedlings, fruits, vegetables and tender ornamentals from icy spring nights involves a lot of work. Techniques like covering plants, moving containers inside or running irrigation to coat plants in insulating ice demand hands-on effort. With possible frost for weeks after the theoretical safe date, this vigilance can become exhausting. Losing plants to unexpected frosts after much spring care is also heartbreaking.
More Transporting and Handling of Plants
Spring is prime time for rearranging container plants, planting into beds or displaying plants in focal areas. All this movement from indoors to outdoors, potting shed to garden and relocating for optimal displays requires heavy lifting, hauling and handling. The repetitive physical work of lugging soil bags, pots and plants causes strain and fatigue if done all at once. For plant collectors, the logistics of moving plants also escalates spring workload. Transporting plants in vehicles safely takes planning too.
In summary, the real reasons plant parents may slightly dread spring are the surge in watering, feeding, pest control, disease treatment, and general vigilance plants need. The increased repotting, pruning, hardening off, moving, and buying of plants also ratchets up spring workload and responsibilities for devoted plant parents. However, the joy of seeing plants come to life in spring outweighs the extra effort required. Careful planning, pacing oneself, and asking for help when needed go a long way towards easing the pressures of spring plant care. With proper strategies, plant parents can avoid dread and embrace the delights of spring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plant Care in Spring
How often should I water houseplants in spring?
In spring, check houseplants daily for moisture needs and water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Plants will typically need watering every 5-7 days as temperatures rise and growth increases. Adjust frequency based on each plant’s requirements.
When should I start fertilizing plants in spring?
Begin fertilizing houseplants at half strength once new growth emerges in spring. Outdoors, fertilize plants at full strength after hardening off and the soil warms above 60°F. Fertilize every 2-4 weeks through the active spring growing season.
What are signs my houseplants need repotting in spring?
Indicators houseplants need repotting in spring include roots growing out the drainage holes, stunted growth, toppling over or needing frequent watering. Move those plants up a pot size or two using fresh potting soil to allow room for growth.
How can I prevent sunburn when moving plants outside in spring?
To harden off plants and prevent sunburn in spring, set them in bright shade for a few days. Then gradually give them 1-2 hours of morning sun, increasing each day over 7-10 days until ready for all day sun. Monitor for leaf scorching and adjust hardening off pace as needed.
When should I prune spring-blooming plants?
Prune spring-blooming plants like forsythia, lilacs, rhododendrons, etc. immediately after flowering. This avoids removing next year’s flower buds that emerge right after spring blooms fade. Prune other plants in early spring before new growth begins.
What are organic ways to control pests on plants in spring?
Use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural oil sprays starting early spring to control pests. Remove infested parts immediately. Introduce beneficial insects if infestations persist. Set out sticky traps for monitoring. Maintain vigilant inspection and control.
Conclusion
While spring brings added pressures and workload for plant parents, a bit of planning and diligent care enables thriving plants. Focus on providing vegetation with sufficient light, moisture, space and pest protection as growth accelerates in springtime conditions. Take time to enjoy the positive signs of spring like new leaves, shoots and flowers that emerge with proper plant care. Avoid dread by pacing oneself, asking for help when needed and remembering that vigorous spring growth leads to healthy, beautiful plants all season long.