It’s no surprise that spring is one of the most anticipated times for gardeners. When the temperature starts rising, plants come out of their slumber, and your garden needs to be looked after again after winter. However, the little bit of preparation you can do early in the season can help create a better growing environment and make the rest of the gardening season much easier.
Do a Garden Inspection
Before you plant or prune anything, walk through your whole garden and see how it looks. Pay attention to the plants, beds, pathways, pots, fences, and other elements of your garden to see if there is any winter damage.
Check for Damaged Growth
Prune off any dead or severely damaged growth if needed. Look over your shrubbery and trees to see if there are any broken branches, and take note of whether or not your perennials are starting to show new growth. This initial inspection will allow you to get a clearer picture of what needs to be addressed and what you can let be.
Clean Up with Care
After a harsh winter, there can be debris scattered around from fallen branches, dead leaves, and more. Clear out your pathways and planting areas, but don’t feel the need to pick up everything right away. While some of this can be beneficial for the health of your soil, some insects might still be hiding inside.
Create Room for New Growth
Clear out any diseased growth or debris that could hinder new growth. Add any needed organic matter or compost to your planting beds. The aim isn’t to clear your garden entirely; instead, it’s to provide a good environment for the new growing season.
Get the Soil Ready
Good soil is the base of a healthy garden. Once your soil is workable, loosen up any compacted areas and evaluate the overall quality of your soil. Compost can be added to improve its quality and add organic matter.
Don’t Work With Wet Soil
Working with wet soil can damage the structure of the soil and cause compaction issues. Wait until it’s dry enough to easily crumble instead of sticking to your tools.
Think About Your Plants
Spring is a good time to consider your planting plans. What vegetables, flowers, herbs, etc., do you want to grow? Where will they go? Take into account things like sun exposure, the plant’s mature size, watering needs, and compatibility with other plants.
Sketch a Basic Garden Plan
You don’t have to draw up a fully-fledged landscape design. Just sketch out your beds and paths, noting down what plants already exist and what you plan on adding. This will help you ensure your plants aren’t overcrowded and will help you make informed decisions.
Evaluate Your Tools
Before you get swamped in spring tasks, assess your tools. Clean off any leftover soil, check the handles for damage, and make sure your pruners are up to snuff. Good, sharp tools will make your job easier and enable you to get things done more efficiently.
Begin Pulling Weeds
Weeds can be more easily removed when they’re small. As the days warm up, check your planting beds for any unwanted growth and pull them out before they become a nuisance.
Be Careful With Young Plants
When pulling weeds, make sure to work carefully around young plants. It’s easy to confuse young shoots with weeds, especially if you don’t know what the plant looks like yet.
Monitor the Weather
In the spring, weather can fluctuate rapidly. A mild day may be followed by freezing nighttime temps or even a late frost. Before transplanting heat-sensitive plants outside, make sure you check the forecast and know what you can plant and what you should keep indoors.
In Conclusion
There are a few things you can do to get your garden ready for spring without having to do it all at once. A basic garden inspection, followed by cleaning up, soil prep, planning your plants, and making sure your tools are ready should help. You don’t want to clear your garden entirely; just focus on preparing it for the upcoming growing season. A little spring cleaning can help you have a healthier, happier garden and more time to enjoy the outdoors.