Spring is just around the corner and temperatures are expected to rise to the high 60’s next week, with that area gardeners may be wondering when to remove mulch on gardens and flower beds. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists advise to reduce the chances of crop damage from a late frost, mulch should be left on strawberry beds as long as possible. Temperatures below freezing may severely damage or destroy open flowers, so removing mulch in March may be damaging. The horticulturists recommend removing mulch when about 25 percent of your strawberry plants are producing new growth, which will be white or yellow in color; this is usually in mid-April.

In southern Iowa, soil should be removed from hybrid tea roses in late March or early April. After the soil is removed, prune out any dead wood, which is dark brown in color. Make cuts about one inch below the dead sections and remove the entire cane if there is no sign of life.