Spring Into Action

Dahlias show up early at retail displays even though it will be weeks before they can be planted. Keep them cool or pot them up in pots and set them in a sunny indoor spot to get the plants going, and you’ll have early blooms outdoors. ANDREW MESSINGER

A heaved planting of a perennial that was planted to late in the season without the root ball having been opened up. The freezing and thawing of late December resulted in the poorly planted specimen being heaved 2 inches out of the planting hole. ANDREW MESSINGER

Three different varieties of clematis grow up these concrete reinforcing rods that form a teepee. Some pruning is needed to thin out dead stems but the main stem is firmly attached to the rod so it won’t break. Know your variety and you’ll know if it needs a fall or spring pruning -- or none at all. ANDREW MESSINGER

Rose pruning can be done now for the experienced rose grower, or you can wait until healthy buds like these emerge. Deadwood like the center stem should always be pruned out and removed from the garden. Just about every rose needs some cutting back after winter. Also treat with a dormant oil before the buds open to control diseases and scale. ANDREW MESSINGER

The recently updated National Audubon Society "Mushrooms of North America" is a great reference book for those looking to identify what they’ve foraged. The only downside is the size and weight of the book making it tough to use as a field reference. Otherwise, well worth the $40 for foragers.