Ready! Set! Grow! Spring gardening countdown

Just when we think it's finally safe to don our gardening gloves, fire up our spades and dig in, the weather throws us a curve ball -- it rains, the temps take a nose dive, it snows. That's spring in Minnesota: Hurry up and wait.

But our on-again, off-again season only makes us all the more eager to get out in the garden and get growing.

"I love to be in the garden now because there's all this possibility -- and no heat and bugs," said Susan Davis Price, garden writer and author of "Growing Home: Stories of Ethnic Gardening."

For tips on prepping our gardens for the growing season, we turned to Price and a handful of garden gurus: Arla Carmichiel, head gardener at Noerenberg Gardens in Orono; Don Engebretson, author of four landscaping and gardening books, landscape designer and garden columnist for Mpls.St.Paul magazine; Mike Heger, author of "Growing Perennials in Cold Climates" and owner of Ambergate Gardens in Chaska; and Norm Wente, greenhouse gardening expert and teacher at the Minnesota State Horticultural Society.

They told us what we should be doing in the garden right now, what tasks should wait, when to shop for plants, how to rejuvenate a garden and how to avoid a perennial problem -- garden burnout.

So as we go full-throttle into the growing season, take time to read -- and heed -- their advice. Oh, and while you're at it, "Don't forget to enjoy the show of spring bulbs," said Engebretson.

Clean out the garden. Lightly rake out winter mulch and debris and cut down perennials if you didn't do it in the fall. A clean garden prevents plant diseases.

"My favorite spring task is pulling grass and weeds. The earth is still moist and they come out easily," said Price.

Improve your soil. Work compost, peat moss and other nutrients into vegetable and garden beds. While doing so "make sure you don't damage the crowns of plants," said Heger.

Clean out window boxes and planters. Pot some frost-hardy pansies for color until it's time to put in some tender annuals.

Sow cool-weather veggies. "I plant lettuce, chard, broccoli, peas, radish and carrot seeds," said Price.

Start pest control. "Don't wait until you see the damage from slugs," said Heger. "If you start early, you can catch them when they're young."

Water and fertilize ornamental trees and shrubs. "We forget about them after three to five years," said Engebretson, who recommends a granular fertilizer.

Divide and transplant garden perennials. Many perennials, such as bleeding heart, sedums, hosta, and daylilies can be divided and transplanted or put in a pot for friends. Just don't do it when the soil is too moist.

Get your soil tested "even if you have an established garden because soil conditions can change," said Engebretson. Garden centers sell do-it-yourself kits. To submit soil samples ($15 fee) to the University of Minnesota soil testing laboratory, visit www.extension.umn.edu and click on Yard & Garden Line or call 612-624-4771 and press 4.

Don't plant warm-season crops such as tomatoes, corn and cucumbers. "People think they can get a head start on their tomatoes," said Engebretson. "Actually, your tomato crop will suffer." Play it safe and wait until the end of May.

Don't plant tender annuals and perennials. "People get the bug when they see them in the garden centers," said Heger. "They need warm soil and warm air temperature and they will just sit there or be lost to frost. (The average last frost date is May 15.)

Don't work the soil too early, especially if it's muddy and wet.

Don't prune spring flowering shrubs such as lilacs and azaleas. Wait until they are finished blooming.

Don't put down your summer mulch until mid-June. "You want your garden soil exposed to the sun to prevent fungus and mildew," said Engebretson.

Don't cut spent spring bulb foliage. "Just let the foliage die back naturally. If you cut it off, you won't have blossoms next year," said Wente.

Don't give up on a plant if you don't see new growth. "Have patience -- you'll be surprised what will come back," said Carmichiel.

Shop early. See what's new, ask questions and check out classes. "It's inspiring to walk around and smell the plants and fresh growth," said Price.

Do your homework before you go. "Talk to experts, read books, make a list, visit the arboretum," said Heger.

Get your money's worth. "If you buy annuals in flats, check each cell for a healthy plant," said Engebretson. Choose the smallest, least bud-filled annuals.

Go to specialty nurseries for a wider variety of plants.

Use your shopping cart as a planter. "For ideas, arrange container plants on the edge of the cart," said Engebretson.

Don't try to have an instant garden. "Save money and buy two small perennials instead of one huge one," said Wente. "You'll get more enjoyment watching them grow."

"Dig out old plants and replace them with varieties that intrigue you," said Heger.

"I'm putting in more stone walkways through the garden," said Carmichiel.

"Add lots more annuals among perennials for all season color," said Price.

"Plant pots of coleus and place them in empty spots in the garden," said Wente.

"Rip out trees and shrubs that don't work anymore and replace them with new ones," said Engebretson.

"Pace yourself and vary your chores," said Price. "Weed for awhile, go plant something, then turn your compost."

"Prioritize tasks. Plants come first and building a stone wall later," said Heger.

"Limit yourself to two to three hours," said Wente. "There's always tomorrow."

"Slow down and enjoy the garden," said Carmichiel.

"Start small and expand the garden size each year," said Price.

"Grow plants you like -- your garden is for you," said Heger.

"Don't be afraid to try new things -- even some plants listed under Zone 5," said Carmichiel.

What is your favorite plant?

"Why does my favorite plant have to be yours?" said Heger. "Visit other gardens and the arboretum and form your own opinions."

Can you plant vegetables with perennials? "At Noerenberg, people are always surprised when we mix vegetables, perennials and annuals to make it interesting," said Carmichiel.

"It's all about the joy and fun you get out of it," said Heger.

Lynn Underwood is at lunderwood@startribune.com.