It’s getting closer to spring and I hope everyone’s green thumb is itching to dig in the soil.

More and more people are starting their tomatoes and peppers from seed. That helps with gardening with drawl. I’m also hearing of lost azalea blooms and other flowering trees and shrubs. March 16 was a disaster for gardeners that did not cover their plants. Here at the feed store we had to move everything in the warehouse for the night. I think that was a successful move. Like I said, Spring is almost here.

Did you know that you can change the color of your hydrangeas simply by the kind of fertilizer you use. Aluminum Sulfate is the thing to use to turn the color from white or pink to blue. It’s also a great product for azaleas, camellias, and gardenias. Aluminum sulfate helps to create an acid soil condition. Test the soil and if the pH is above 7.0, an application of this will be effective in lowering the soil pH to the 5.5 range which is desirable for growing acid loving plants. Use 1 lb. per 3 ft of height. Mix 1 lb. in 5 gallons of water and apply at the drip line of the shrub. Aluminum Sulfate can also be spread dry around the drip line and be watered in.

You don’t want blue hydrangeas, let’s use Magnesium Sulfate to encourage white blooms. This also helps prevent and control chlorosis(yellowing of plant foliage due to magnesium deficiencies. Apply once a month as needed. Mix 2 Tbl. per 1 gallon of water. Apply with any sprinkling can or hose feeder. soak the entire plant thoroughly. You can also use as a dry application by using 1 lb. per 100 square foot and water thoroughly.

There are lots of fertilizer tricks you can use. I’ll talk later on more of the tricks.

(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal. Email Mitzi questions at  mitzithomas40@yahoo.com.)