Insects, tree death
expected to be
more prominent

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Reporter
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

The unpredictability of spring has many residents wondering when, and if, to plant gardens and plan landscaping. However, owner of Calvert City’s Holly Nursery Kenny Westfall said residents should primarily learn “not to rush it.”

“Mother nature is going to do what it will do,” Westfall said. “We’re liable to get a couple of cold snaps yet, and nothing is going to grow until the ground warms up anyway.”

Most gardeners begin planting their flowers and vegetables around mid-April, Westfall said. However, he advised waiting another two weeks would allow gardeners to avoid most of the remaining frost for the season.

“Waiting won’t hurt anything,” Westfall said. “It’ll grow just as fast.”

Having an organized plan for landscaping is key to success, Westfall said. Making sure to set the right plant in the right spot will ensure growth with less effort. Determining what your plants need in terms of sunlight and planting them accordingly is key.

Making smarter choices in the plants and shrubs one chooses is another factor. Westfall said despite ice, the winter season was not a harsh one, and insects will be much more prominent in the coming year.

“Do some research and find more disease resistant shrubs and plants,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot more people growing their own vegetables, and practicing integrated pest management is a good idea. Some bugs are beneficial to your garden, and having a few bugs is a lot less dangerous than using pesticides.”

Insects aren’t the only change residents can expect after winter storm 2009 and the ever-changing climate, Westfall said. The overall landscape may be very different than what residents are used to.

“We’re going to see a lot of our trees die in the coming years,” Westfall said. “Disease is going to take a lot of them. Five years from now it may be a totally different world. It’s just nature’s way of replenishing.”

Westfall said he’s seen many residents purchasing new, smaller trees this year. With the extensive damage done to larger trees during the ice, he said it’s no wonder.

The emergence of many new weeds can be expected, as well. Westfall said warmer temperatures are paving the way for warmer season grasses, such as Bermuda grass, to make its way into local landscape. Smaller undergrowth will be prominent, as well.

“We’ve been bringing a lot of plants up that have traditionally grown better in the south, and they’ve been doing just fine here,” Westfall said. “So, people have a lot more choices in what they choose for their gardens and landscape as they have in past years.”

The important thing Westfall said to remember is for gardeners to do their homework before planting. He advised visiting the University of Kentucky Extension Office in Benton for information on what to plant, how and overall management.

“There are gobs of good gardening sites on the internet, too,” Westfall said. “Pick one that has a focus on our region and just research before you get started.

“And don’t overdo it,” Westfall added. “You don’t want to plant so much that you can’t take care of it the way it needs to be taken care of. You can always add more later.”