The weather is warm and rainy, the conservation district's native plant flats are almost ready for pickup, and the blossoms are on the fruit trees. Spring is here and it is time to get planting. Use this shoreline garden planting checklist to make your gardening efforts this spring a blooming success. Consider last frost dates, hardening and root preparation, lake levels, and irrigation systems. Read on for our tips.
We have warm days and great weather. Should we start planting?
The projected last day for frost for us is May 16th. Frost can be more prevalent in lower elevations, such as your lake front, and may be influenced by the temperature of the water and the presence of wind. Protect your investment by waiting beyond the prescribed last frost date to get planting. Recent transplants are more susceptible to damage from frost versus native plants that are established. The classification of freeze temperatures is based on their effect on plants:
- Light freeze: 29° to 32°F (-1.7° to 0°C)—tender plants are killed.
- Moderate freeze: 25° to 28°F (-3.9° to -2.2°C)—widely destructive to most vegetation.
- Severe freeze: 24°F (-4.4°C) and colder—heavy damage to most garden plants.
Are my plants ready to plant?
Depending on where they have been staged, “hardening” the plants to acclimatize to outdoor temperature in advance of planting them may be necessary. Gradually expose the plants to the outdoors near the spot they will be planted to get them acquainted with current weather conditions. It is a good idea to trim off any damaged foliage such that the roots support the healthy portion of the plant.
Condition new plantings and especially bare rooted plantings with root conditioner or stimulators. Bare root treatment options are available online or at nurseries. Soak the plant roots before planting. In general, the wetter the better!
Some folks use a staggered planting time table to compensate for weather surprises. If possible, set aside or plan for a second transplant opportunity as planting conditions become more reliable. If everything goes well, you can get a head start with an earlier transplant time, and if not, you are able to adapt with a later planting.
What about the lake level?
If you are planting near the shoreline, remember that on April 15th or last ice, the Leland Dam Authority increases the target lake level a full foot higher than the winter low to the court mandated 589.21 feet above mean sea level. Read our last post on Lake Levels to learn more. Keep in mind, the lake level is not an exact science. Rain fall, conditions that promote evaporation, and other natural events can accelerate or delay the rise in our lake level. Using a landmark on your property to benchmark your normal summer water level will help with identifying safe locations for shoreline plantings as the water level rises this spring.
Consider wave action
Consider your shoreline planting relative to the wave energy and fetch that can introduce wave action to your plants. Spring and fall winds are generally more severe than summer. Established plants will be more resilient but new transplants may suffer from an unanticipated high wave event. Make sure that you are placing your new plants at a safe distance from your high-water mark wave line. Depending on your location on the lake, it is possible to have unanticipated lake level fluctuation. One such phenomenon, known as wind set-up or storm surge, occurs when sustained high winds from one direction push the water level up at one end of the lake, allowing the wave action to come further on shore than usual.
New plantings need attention!
Once in the ground, the work is continuous. Marking the new transplants increases the chances that they will not be disturbed until they become established.
Regular moisture is very important for your new transplants. Consider an irrigation hose system to get them started. Using a battery-operated timer and a system of soaker hoses, hoses with feeder tubes, or any type of automated watering system will provide reliable watering and peace of mind if you are away. These items are available from a garden center or online. Irrigation is only necessary to get new plantings started, but can be reused for any additional new planting areas. Some nurseries may decline to provide warranty on new plants that fail if there is no irrigation system.
It only takes a little preparation and just a short time for your new shoreline plantings to become established and thrive. All that is left to do then is enjoy!
Still need to buy plants?
Did you miss the conservation districts' native plant sale? Check out our Native Plant List for a list of recommended native plants for shoreline flowers and shrubs, upland plants, trees, and the regional nurseries where you can buy them!