Preparing Your Garden For Spring!

Spring is such a beautiful time; it's an excuse to start fresh. Why not make good use of this wait and start preparing your garden for spring?

Here are a few tips for getting the best jump start on spring gardening.

1. Clear your garden of dead leaves and weeds

Flowers and other plants prefer a tidy place to grow in, so make sure you have a tidy plot of soil for them. If you have perennial plants, cut back the dead growth. Dig up around 2.5 to 3 inches of organic matter and dispose.

2. Plan ahead for summer-flowering plants

To make sure you get beautiful, blooming plants and a colorful display in the summertime, start planting them in early spring.

3. Clean your greenhouse

If you grow your plants in a greenhouse, make sure to wash it down before spring arrives. Sweep the floors and benches, and even consider using a mild disinfectant for the inside of the glass to get rid of any pests that could potentially harm your plants. Be thorough! They can live in the tiniest of nooks and crannies. Make sure you ventilate your greenhouse for at least a few days before you plant your greens.

4. Clean your gardening tools

Cleanliness is next to godliness, so make sure your gardening tools are in good shape. Just like your greenhouse, they may also carry bugs or diseases, so give them a good scrub as well to ensure they don't have a chance to infect your plants.

5. Remove any unwanted pests

This is not a euphemism; get rid of any hibernating pests such as aphids, slugs, and snails now so that they don't even have the opportunity to get at your plants. One bug to look for in particular is the white vine weevil larvae. They live in the compost and will, without a doubt, feed on plant roots.

6. Plant a variety of seeds

Ask a neighbor for old seedlings, check out seeds you've never planted before at hardware stores, or get cuttings from a friend. The possibilities are endless! But be sure to read up on what kind of plants you're getting in your garden; some plants do not play nice with others, and will take up an entire plot. Plan your garden plot on paper so you know exactly where everything will grow.

7. Don't get ahead of yourself

Be patient. Don't rush your plants, and try to give them an easy transition. Take your seedlings outside and continue to water them in their trays for a week or two. Eventually, they'll acclimate to the outdoor environment.

Hopefully with these tips, you'll get a nice head start on preparing your garden for spring planting.

HAPPY PLANTING!