The last days of winter are the hardest for a lot of passionate gardeners, who can’t wait for the snow and the frost to retreat so that they’re finally able to break the ground, enter an official spring gardening season and implement their new garden ideas they’ve planned came up with the dormant season.
Sometimes we can be too eager to do something outside when it’s actually too early for it. Surely, some things can definitely be done shortly before the beginning of spring, especially those chores that doesn’t require any planting or soil preparation, but let the gardener get everything ready for the season’s opening.
But, as the gardens start giving the first hints about the spring’s approach and the chilly air warms up to greet the new season, it’s time for gardeners to start their first preparations and take up their early spring gardening chores. You’ll totally benefit from ticking the most important early spring garden chores off your list in advance not to be in a desperate rush in the very midst of the season.
Therefore, if you’re walking around your garden making up a list of chores to complete and garden ideas for spring to implement, make sure to include these ones as well.
Top 10 chores and garden ideas for spring
1. Look through your garden tools
Gather them in one spot if they got tossed away after the last autumn, clean them, get rid of rust and decide whether you need to purchase replacement ones for those that can’t serve you well anymore. Organize your tools properly, preferably in a specially designated area, to have them on hand when needed.
2. Compile your garden plan and list your garden ideas
Decide what you’d like to plant this year and research planting guidelines and hacks for chosen crops. Draw a garden map to determine where exactly certain plants will go before you actually start digging and seeding. Make sure to pay attention to plants’ compatibility and leave some free space for seeds that can’t be planted till later in the season.
Determining the areas that receive most of the sunlight and the direction it comes from will help you create the most favorable conditions for the photophilous plants and ensure that all crops receive enough sunlight during the daylight hours. Plantinting shorter crops in front of taller ones helps to reach that as well, so figure out how tall the plants you chose for your garden grow to make the right ‘seating plan’.
3. Shop for seeds and prepare supplies
Make a list of supplies and seeds you need to buy for your garden this year. From new pots, tools and potting mixes to early plants, fertilizing mixes, garden hoses, sprinklers and supporting posts – make sure to get everything you need to get to active gardening. Additionally, order the plants and herbs you don’t intend on growing from seeds at your local garden center.
Look through leftover supplies from last year (like planting pots, watering cans, etc.) and prepare them for a new season as well.
4. Get rid of last year’s material
If you didn’t manage to get rid of the remains of old plants before the snow came or simply neglected that chore last year, you’ll have to go out with a hoe and rakes to pull the dead plants and weeds out. Do the same to the annual flowers and other decorative plants that have been sitting on the flower beds since the last year. Don’t forget to discard that dead material properly to eliminate one of the sources of garden pests and diseases.
5. Repair garden and flower beds
Winter weather can be rough on flower and garden beds. Inspect yours, put the shifted stones in place, replace the missing ones and take a close look at wooden boards to see if any of them have rotted over the winter and thus require replacement as well. If you’d like to build additional beds to expand your garden and grow more crops, it’s about time to go to HireRush.com to reach out to local handymen or carpenters and leave a garden bed building request for one of them.
6. Fertilize your soil
Your soil is probably quite exhausted after the previous gardening season and long winter. So, fertilizing it is one of the must-do garden ideas for spring. Reestablish it mineral balance and enrich it with the growth-promoting nutrients by adding fresh compost or feeding it with the most appropriate compost blend or fertilizing mixture from your local garden center. Don’t forget to test your soil prior to feeding not to over fertilize, and mix your fertilizer into the soil thoroughly and evenly so that the plants’ roots are able to reach all the nutrients for the healthy growth.
7. Prune your trees
Removing dead and unnecessary branches to promote the growth and make your trees healthier, better looking and more fruitful is one of the most useful garden ideas for spring. Check which trees are supposed to be pruned in early spring, though, not to harm your beautiful garden.
Generally, late winter/early spring is the best time to prune most trees. The most important thing is prune during the right time gap. You need to avoid extreme winter cold, but trim before the trees ‘wake up’ and start opening their buds. Also, it’s better to leave pruning of larger trees to professional tree trimming and removal services. These providers have the proper equipment and know how to do it safely.
7. Go for a quick mulch touch up
Early spring is the ideal time to check on your mulch, fluff it up and add a bit more to the areas where some of it decomposed or got washed away by rain or melted snow. Aim for a 2-inch level of mulch or even 3 to 4 inches if you reside in a drier, southern area.
8. Start seeding
Those who’d like one of the pro garden ideas – growing plants from seeds – will have to start seeding and growing their seedlings inside a month or two before they have to transplant them outdoors. Look through the instructions on the seeds’ packaging, as manufacturers often mention recommended seeding timelines. This is one of the most exciting early spring garden chores, as you actually get to start growing the crops-to-be.
9. Plant new trees and shrubs
Early spring is also a great time to introduce new tree additions to your garden. Follow expert planting instructions to get those bare-root plants off to a healthy start and make sure that they survive the first season and thrive in the years to come.
10. Get crafty with your garden ideas
Even if the weather doesn’t allow any early gardening, you may still enjoy your favorite hobby inside. There’re numerous DIYs and garden ideas that will hep you make it through winter and early spring. For instance, you may make plant markers to label your vegetable beds and lots, try out winter sowing, create handmade supporting posts and nets for your future tomatoes and cucumbers, etc. Basically, employ your creativity and enjoy relaxed times until you get pretty busy at your garden.
