Must-Do Gardening Tasks for Early Spring
Spring is here! The chill of winter has finally left, and the last of the snow has melted away. If you spent your days this winter dreaming of a lush garden, but aren’t sure where to start, read on. Today, we’re covering the must-do gardening tasks for early spring.
Prepare the soil.
Over the winter, garden beds remain untouched. Weeds may already be popping up! Prepare your soil for planting and the emergence of perennials by removing any weeds and stones, and raking the surface to create airflow and an optimal environment for seeds, new plantings, and returning plants.
Get garden tools ready.
Head to the shed or garage and prepare your garden tools for the season. Clean tools with hot water and soap, and oil metal tools, such as spades, hoes, trowels, and rakes, to prevent rusting. Get rid of any tools that you have multiples of, as well as those that are broken and beyond repair. If you’re on a budget, check local marketplaces or garage sales for secondhand tools.
Sow seeds indoors.
Now is the time to start sowing fruit and vegetable seeds indoors, such as tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers. If you don’t have a greenhouse, a warm, sunny windowsill can also do the trick. Early spring is also a good time to sow peas, carrots, spring onions, and broad beans outdoors.
Plant summer bulbs.
As the soil begins to get warmer, now is the time to plant summer-flowering bulbs, such as dahlias, begonias, lilies, peonies, and gladioli. Planting these bulbs in spring should lead to beautiful blooms come summer. Just be sure to protect them should a late spring frost occur.
Prepare the lawn.
As your lawn begins to reveal itself once the snow and frost of winter are over, you’ll probably notice unwanted weeds and moss that have grown in the colder months. Start by tidying up the edges of your lawn and feeding the grass a nutrient-rich fertilizer. Plant more grass seed as needed to boost thickness, and once the frost is past and growth begins, you may want to begin a regular mowing schedule.
Clean up debris.
Before you bring out your patio furniture and start scrubbing down porches and decks, do a wide sweep to clean up any debris that has accumulated in your yard over the winter. You’ll likely have an array of branches and leaves to remove. Throw any natural materials into your compost pile.
As you take on these gardening tasks, remember that the effort you put in now will allow you to sit back and enjoy a lush and beautiful landscape when the summer season is in full bloom.
