Puget Sound gardening tips for early planting, smothering weeds and getting rid of slugs

Now is the time to plant some frost-tolerant perennials such as the seeds of columbine, pansies, sweet alyssum, sweet peas and veronica directly into the cold ground.

The secret to direct sowing into the ground is to work or loosen up the soil first so the seedlings can put down roots and to protect the seeds and the seedlings from birds and slugs. In Western Washington, tiny slugs are hatching this month and they lie just under the soil waiting for sweet seedlings to sprout. The new sprouts are eaten overnight and newbie gardeners blame the lack of seed germination for the failure when actually it is hungry slug determination.

Q. We have slugs and have invested in slug bait in the past year to protect out vegetable starts in the spring. We use a pet-safe slug bait called Sluggo. My husband says to put the bait on top of the new seedlings to kill the slugs. I say apply bait away from the seedlings to lure the slugs away. Your opinion?

A. You are right. Do not put slug bait on top of plants even if they are non-toxic baits. Scatter the bait where the slugs hide in tall grass, rockeries or at the edges of your planting area.

If birds are feeding on the pellets (it won’t harm them but why waste bait?) set broken pots or wooden shingles in the area and place the bait under these bird barriers that still allow slugs to reach the bait.

Q. What is the best fertilizer for evergreen shrubs? Can I use a general plant food like 20-20-20 on evergreens or do they need a special fertilizer? We have a mature evergreen hedge that I want to keep healthy. Thank you. — J.S.

A. Often the best fertilizer for mature trees and shrubs is adding no fertilizer at all. A 20-20-20 plant food is best for fast- growing annuals or vegetables in late spring but encouraging fast growth on trees and shrubs can make them more vulnerable to frost damage and more attractive to insects and disease that love soft and succulent new growth. If your hedge looks healthy, leave it alone. If your hedge looks like it is turning yellow, a slow-release plant food made for acid- loving plants is best.

Q. When is the best time to apply a mulch on top of my soil to keep down weeds? I want to use a bark mulch around trees and shrubs. — R.T., Tacoma

A. If your main goal is weed control, then March is a great time to smother small weeds with a 2- to 3-inch in layer of bark or wood chips. All plants need sunlight and smothering small shot weeds and chick weeds now will prevent them from scattering seed. Weeds with deep roots such as dandelions should be dug up before adding the mulch.

To take care of a really weedy situation, subscribe to more newspapers. Then you can layer several sections of damp newspaper right on top of weeds, cover this with a few inches of bark mulch, and the beds will look neat and tidy without removing the weeds.

Marianne Binetti has a degree in horticulture from Washington State University and is the author of several books. Reach her at binettigarden.com.