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Forsythia, Spring is Here!

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One of the happiest and brightest shrubs in the Southern landscape has to be the Forsythia. You may also know Forsythia as “Yellow Bells”, due to the shape and color of the blossoms . I think the first time I ever heard the term “Yellow Bells” reference to a Forsythia, came from my Granny many years ago when I was growing up.

Complete Spring … Forsythia has 4 petals on each bloom… Forsythia blossoms from the spring are produced on the old wood from previous year. The remaining buds overwinters… the leaves are a gorgeous reddish color in the fall season. A complete bush in all four seasons.

Once the Forsythia breaks into bloom, Spring is not far away. Maybe that is why I consider it to be a “happy bush”. The sunny, vibrant, buttery-yellow blooms signals my brain that the spring gardening season is not far away. That in itself is JOY.

Forsythia is native to China and other parts of Asia

I recently read that the word Forsythia is related to anticipation. Yes, I get that… the anticipation of SPRING… Beautiful, joyful things yet to come.

What can we learn from the Forsythia??? The blooming Forsythia maybe our slumbering winter wake up call. The arrival of these vivid blooms definitely launches me into a spring planning and gardening clean up mindset. Rightfully so, because it is truly the time to begin focusing on some key elements for your lawn and garden maintenance, taking our cues directly from Mother Nature via the blooming Forsythia.

Forsythia is a fast growing shrub but if you must trim it wait until after blooming has been completed.

Once the forsythia finishes blooming, pre-emergents (for weed control) can be used in your lawn. A Pre- emergent is used to help prevent weed growth in your lawn… before the weeds actually begin!!!

If you use the “gardening cues” from the golden blossoms of the Forsythia, and apply your pre-emergents on time, it should then be re-applied three months later, so think about another application in June.

A multi-tiered approach may occur at your home… the focus on the garden… starting seeds indoors or even beginning to think about planting cool season crops once the Forsythia blooms are fading all the while working towards a beautiful, green, and healthy lawn. Whatever you decide to plant or grow this year, just enjoy it, savoring the season.

As you are reading this, the time to begin your lawn care maintenance is upon you! In a few short weeks, your actions will be futile if you delay using Pre-emergents and other actions will be necessary in order to avoid weeds in your lawn in the form of post-emergent weed killers like these in the photo.
Post-emergent Weed control for lawns: 2-4D works well to reduce weed growth without damaging lawn
Forcing Forsythia inside can be a lovely way to brighten your mood on those cool, rainy, foggy days in March
Within a few days these blooms are opening up! Use a knife to slice the bottom of the stems to open them up so more water can flow into woody stem and make sure to remove bottom blooms in place in warm water.
Foggy, rainy March weather

The Forsythia is legendary to hold medicinal qualities in past centuries. I believe that still holds true for me… maybe not so much in the traditional medicinal sense. The vibrant yellow hues are medicine to my soul, gearing up for another sensational Spring. Happy Spring Y’all!

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