Every spring, one of the things I look forward to is getting… Back in the park And the yard. Living in a warmer climate I can do a lot outside, but there are some chores that need to be done in the spring. Here’s what’s on my garden to-do list this spring to get everything ready for summer and beyond.
My gardening style may look different than someone who lives in a cooler climate. Wherever you live, there are some gardening tasks that are helpful to do before planting in warm weather. The yard may need to be cleaned, garden equipment replaced, and soil prepared.
Spring gardening planning
I have had a garden for years, and our family has grown a wide variety of vegetables. I am also an avid beekeeper and we recently purchased ducks and chickens. Then there are the herbs and flowers scattered throughout the yard.
While what I grow has certainly changed over the years, you will always find that I am growing something.
What is the first step to gardening? planning.
You can find your own USDA Plant Hardiness Zone here. It will tell you the dates of the last and first frost. If you live in a really warm climate (like me), you may have multiple growing seasons throughout the year. A person who lives in a true four-season location usually has spring through fall available for gardening. Really cold climates only have a few months in summer.
Whatever climate you live in, be sure to check your last frost date and work backwards from there.
Garden plan
A garden journal or planner is really helpful. This could be an app on your phone, a computer program, or old-fashioned pencil and paper. Review garden plans and notes from last year. What worked, and what didn’t? What would you like to change or add? Decide what you will plant and where you will plant it in the garden.
It can be fun to plan a lot, but also consider what will actually work in your area and what you can realistically do. It doesn’t make sense to grow 20 tomato plants if you only have 3 beds in the garden! Find the space each plant needs so it has enough room to grow. This is my favorite Garden planning application.
This is a good way to plan the crop rotation to prevent soil depletion. I do too Companion transplant When I garden to promote plant and soil health. Once you know which plants you will grow, decide when to start seeds and transplant them outside.
Seed starting
Once you know what you want to grow and where (and when), it’s time to start seeds. Some plants need quite warm weather to survive and need to be planted in late spring or early summer, depending on your region. Other plants tolerate cold weather well, such as peas, lettuce, spinach, and root vegetables.
Some plants can be planted directly into the soil, such as lettuce and carrots. Others work best if started indoors and then transplanted. You can find my details Seed starting guide here.
Soil test
This step is not always necessary, but it can be very helpful. Soil testing lets you know what nutrients are low or missing so amendments can be made. Local college extension offices are usually a good resource for this.
Soil testing looks at the proportions of sand, silt and clay and the basic soil composition. It will also show the pH and levels of available nutrients. Some plants grow best at certain soil pH levels, so this can be the difference between having a thriving garden and little or no growth.
Crop rotation, companion planting, and Renewal practices (such as not doing large areas of monocropping) helps with this.
Add fertilizer
Once you know what’s going on beneath the surface, spring is a good time to add fertilizer. I like to add an extra boost of nutrients via compost while growing vegetables, herbs and flowers. However, you can also help improve overall soil quality by amending it with compost in the spring.
In early spring, spread a layer of compost about 2-4 inches thick over the area. If the soil is clay-rich and hard, break it up first. Next, till the compost into the soil. You can do this with a hoe, garden rake, or even with your hands if you have a smaller space. He learns How to start fertilizing Here’s how to make Compost tea here.
Cut, cut, trim
If you haven’t already trimmed your shrubs, trees and plants in the fall, now is a good time. I love trimming bushes, trees, and anything else I need. This gets rid of dead debris so the plant can focus on new growth.
Here are the things that can be pruned in spring:
- Dead or damaged branches
- Flowering shrubs (tops only, before new growth begins)
- Overgrown shrubs and hedges
Trim dead growth from last year on perennials. Clean up old leaves, twigs and dead plant material and compost them. Avoid pruning or pruning spring flowering plants such as forsythia or lavender.
Organize and arrange the garden shed and potting bench. Restock any supplies you’ll need. Where are the watering can, garden hose and gardening tools? Are they where you need them once you start gardening? Clean, sharpen and lubricate any tools as needed. Dispose of and replace as needed.
This is another area where it can be tempting to go out and buy all the things. Ask yourself what you actually use and what type of garden you have. If you only have a few raised beds on your back porch, you won’t need a large soil tiller.
If you have a rain barrel (or want one!), it can be set up in late spring. Be sure to clean your gutters and make sure your downspouts and any necessary accessories are in good working order.
Weeds and mulch
Many plants that people call weeds actually are Useful and medicinal plantssuch as dandelion and banana. However, I also didn’t want a bed full of dandelions taking up the space where I planted other vegetables. Spring is the perfect time to start weeding. Just be sure to save plenty in the yard For pollinators!
I like to clean garden beds when the soil is moist and the roots are easy to pull out. It is easier to remove them in their early stages of growth than later. They are also less likely to go to seed and create more weeds.
You can cover the beds with a thick layer of mulch to prevent weed growth in the future. However, it may be easier to plant smaller transplants first and then mulch around them.
Withstands cleaning
It’s best to wait until the weather is warmer to clean up leaf litter and do yard cleaning tasks. Pollinators and beneficial insects depend on their protection through the winter and into spring. According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation:
Meanwhile, last year’s leaf litter still provides protection for both plants and invertebrates against late-season frosts. The butterfly cocoons still cling to dried stems and branches, waiting for the right time to emerge as adult insects. – Xerces Association
The ideal time to start cleaning your yard and garden bed depends on your area. Ideally, this is late spring or even early summer.
Maintenance of garden areas
It’s not just the dirt beds and garden that need some tender loving care. Check your garden paths and areas around the beds for any maintenance needs.
Are there any floors that are cracked/broken and need to be replaced? Do I need to remove any weeds from the driveways? Are there any places that need replenishing with more mulch or gravel?
If you have raised garden beds, pots or other planters, check for any repairs that need to be made to them. If you want to extend the growing season, you can also add cold frames or row covers to insulate the plants.
Perennials and cuttings
Spring is the perfect time to divide and replant perennials as needed. When flowering perennials grow in the same place for a period of time, their growth can be stunted or even stopped. Dividing them into several plants during early spring growth not only strengthens the plants, but can increase blooms.
It’s also a good idea to start now by cutting off bare roots, such as elderberries. Here’s a guide To collect elderberry cuttings to plant in the summer. If you are planting any trees, fruit trees, shrubs or shrubs, a good time to do so is after the ground is no longer frozen in the spring.
Help garden friends
The garden wouldn’t be what it is without friendly insects and pollinators. While many farmers wage war with the natural world, insects, birds and bees are essential to a healthy ecosystem.
I already mentioned that I have beehives in the backyard, but there are plenty of ways to support pollinators and other garden helpers. Try making something simple Bee Hotel. Evaluate any birdhouses or bird feeders. Dust it off, pull it out of the garage and see what needs to be replaced or repaired.
Hang and refill bird feeders and clean and refill the birdbath. Check your bat house if you have one, and if not, here it is Why I recommend them! You can even plan and plant Butterfly garden.
Preparing for the spring garden
I know I mentioned a lot in this spring garden checklist, but I don’t feel the need to tackle everything at once (or at all). As the seasons of my life changed, so did my garden and what I did with it. Sometimes I had a huge vegetable garden, other times I would step back and focus more on herbs and flowers.
Do what feels good (and doable) to you during this season. I hope these gardening tips help you feel more prepared for your gardening season. Whatever that looks like for you!
How do you prepare your garden during the spring? Is there anything you would like to add or have I missed? Leave a comment and share below!
