Take time to plan your garden right

Ah, spring.

A time of new birth and eternal optimism.

A time to get outdoors, clean up the yard and plant those flower and vegetable gardens.

Hold it there -- not so fast.

Yes, the temperature was in the 80s today, but let's not jump the gun. The forecast even calls for possible snow later this week. There is still plenty of time to carefully plan this year's horticultural adventures.

It's especially wise to take the potential for continued drought into account, and even if rainfall returns to normal, there are plenty of reasons to choose drought- and wind-resistant varieties of plants.

Take time to read today's special Lawn & Garden edition.

City editor Lorri Sughroue took time off from City Council coverage to interview local experts on ways to create a hardy, attractive outdoor environment that will maintain its beauty throughout the Nebraska summer without pulling us away from all those other activities we want to accomplish this summer.

But in addition to choosing the right plants, there are a few simple tips to make your gardening experience more enjoyable this summer.

Mulch. Mulch. Mulch. The City of McCook's tree program requires mulching around new trees, but compost and mulch -- made up of anything from manures to gravel, straw, grass cuttings and artificial ground cover -- serves many important purposes. It insulates the soil from temperature extremes, reduces erosion, prevents evaporation and weed growth, and, if it's organic, also provides nutrients for plants.

Apply mulches when the ground is wet, and keep the mulch away from the base of the plant to prevent rotting.

It's not only how much you water, but how you water.

* Never water in the heat of the day, when most water will evaporate. It's better to water in the evening or early morning so that water soaks into the soil.

* Water plants at the base, thoroughly and infrequently, so that water reaches the roots, rather than giving them a light sprinkling more often. Roots will then go down to search for water, making plants stronger.

* Don't over water your lawn. Unless you totally drench the lawn, watering encourages the roots to come to the surface, thus rendering it less tolerant to dry conditions.

* In dry spells, raise the blades on your mower so that the lawn is left longer and cut the grass less frequently.

* Use a mulching mower to leave the cuttings on the lawn to protect the roots and return nutrients to the soil.

* Aerate the lawn well to allow the moisture to seep down to the roots.

With a little planning, you can have a beautiful lawn and garden and time to enjoy the coming summer as well.