R a m

e n

&

V

i n y l

R e c o r d s

K e e p Y o u r H o m e

S m e llin g L ik e

H o m e

W h a t e v e r s c e n t s f i l l y o u r h o u s e h o l d . P u r i n a * T i d y C a t s * P r e m i u m S c o o p S m a l l S p a c e s "

h e l p s n e u t r a l i z e o d o r s e v e n i n t h e c o z i e s t o f m u l t i p l e - c a t h o m e s , g i v i n g y o u j u s t w h a t y o u

n e e d t o k e e p y o u r h o u s e s m e l l i n g l i k e i t s h o u l d . E x p l o r e t h e f u l l r a n g e o f

P u r i n a * T i d y C a t s * l i t t e r f o r m u l a s a t t i d y c a t s . c o m .

T ra d e m a rk s o w n e d by S ociété d es P ro d u its N estlé S .A . .V e v e y . S w itze rlan d

g a r d e n

I

k n o w - h o w

T h i s

M o n t h

i n

t h e

G a r d e n

Y e a r n i n g

f o r

w a y s

t o

g e t

y o u r

h a n d s

i n

t h e

s o il?

U s h e r

i n

a

n e w

g a r d e n

y e a r

w i t h

t h e s e

e a r l y - b i r d

t a s k s .

SOUTHWEST

As soon as cool-season crops arc harvested, improve

soil to prepare for heat-loving vegetables. If your

soil contains a lot of sand or clay, spade in

4-6 inches of compost. Repeat after every harvest.

SOUTHEAST

Plant potato sets two to four weeks before the last

average frost. Select a short-season variety, such as

‘Yukon Gold’, that will mature before the weather

gets hot. After sprouts emerge, mound soil around

the stems to shade developing tubers from the sun.

NORTHEAST

It’s time to sow seeds indoors. Most summer

annual flowers and vegetables should be started

six to eight weeks before the last average frost.

(If you’re uncertain of your date, go to BHG.com/

lastfrost.) Sow seeds in plastic flats filled with a

sterile seed-starting mix or in peat pellets. Place on

a south-facing windowsill or under plant lights.

MIDWEST

Prune fruit trees—including apple, pear, cherry,

peach, and plum—while they’re dormant. Cut out

crowded or crossing branches to open the center of

the tree to more sunlight and boost crop yields.

NORTHWEST

Bare-root trees and shrubs can be planted as soon

as the ground is workable. Before planting, soak

roots in a bucket of tepid water for several hours to

rehydrate them. Dig a hole large enough to

accommodate the roots. Backfill with soil, making

sure the root flare is just below ground level.

W EST

Trim back dead foliage on warm-season ornamental

grasses, such as

Miscanthus

,

Festuca

,

Panicum,

and

Pennisetum,

before new growth sprouts in spring.

Use sharp hedge clippers or pruning shears to cut

shorter species (3 feet or less) to 3 inches high and

taller types to 4-6 inches high.

WHAT’S

HAPPENING NOW

B H G

T e s t

G

a r d e n

W inter is loosening

its icy grip on Iowa.

Robins soon will be

stopping by to eat

leftover crabapples.

T heir songs rem ind

us th a t spring, surely,

is alm ost here. Until

new sprouts em erge,

w e’ll savor th e frosty

highlights on last

seaso n ’s stalks, such

as

Miscanthus

,

above.

T heir w aving seeds

anim ate the garden.