You will need to remove or replace the mulch on your flower beds where fungus has caused problems. Remove the mulch after the last frost has passed and expose the ground to daylight for two weeks before applying additional mulch. Be sure to rid the beds of all hiding places for bugs or other blights.

If you need a large amount of mulch, keep in mind that many county landfills may have different types of mulches that cost nothing.

Bulbs should be planted soon after they are received, as they tend to dry out quickly. A good rule of thumb for planting bulbs is to set their base at a depth equal to three times their height and space each bulb three times their width apart.

Bulbs should generally be planted in soil that drains quickly. There are notable exceptions to this rule, such as:

• Siberian Irises
• Spring Snowflakes
• Elephant's Ears

As spring bulbs begin to sprout, sprinkle a balanced fertilizer around them. Remove the seed heads from the bulbs that have finished flowering. Don't cut the foliage, just let it wither naturally. Plant summer flowering bulbs after the frost has passed.

Be careful about introducing new plants. Before you plant something new, check it out thoroughly for pests and diseases. Your established garden is undoubtedly worth much more than the one-year replacement guarantee on one new plant.

Large trees and shrubs can be planted in your garden if you are the impatient type, but they will also cost you far more than the smaller ones that will take several years to reach full maturity. Keep in mind that smaller plants do adapt more quickly to a new environment and also grow far more quickly than those that are already close to maturity.

Perennials, ferns and ground covers can be planted safely as soon as they are available in local garden centers.

When you buy plants that are balled or burlapped, ask the dealer about the proper planting depths. Should it be planted below, at or above the original planting depth? Most plants should not go any deeper, although some need to be put an inch or two above the soil line as heavy root balls will usually settle. Is the burlap genuine or synthetic? If the burlap is real, it will decompose quickly and add important minerals to the soil. If it is synthetic, it will not decompose quickly and will prevent the roots from properly penetrating to the soil. As a result, the plant's growth will be stunted, or the plant may even die. We suggest removing non-genuine burlap coverings and throwing them in the trash.

Do not cut back spring bloomers like rhododendrons and azaleas until after they have flowered. At the right time, cut back your summer bloomers by removing the old flower heads. Remove all diseased, injured and dead branches. Also cut away branches that grow at narrow angles to the trunk and crossed branches.

As your garden starts to break dormancy, your bulbs will need additional nutrients to prepare themselves for the coming year.

When you purchase fertilizer, the major nutrients are typically indicated on the bag with the letters N (Nitrogen), P (Phosphorous), and K (Potassium), followed by numbers indicating the percentage levels.

• Fertilize your spring-flowering bulbs in the fall
• Spring-flowering bulbs will not benefit from having fertilizer applied during their bloom period or afterwards. A high-nitrogen fertilizer applied after flowering may promote fungal disease.

Ask your Southern States dealer's advice on a schedule that has been outlined as best for your area and your particular plants. Let them know what type of plants you are growing; acid-lovers such as hollies, gardenias, camellias and azaleas, or those varieties that prefer soil at an alkaline or neutral pH level.