Image by AC works Co., Ltd. from Pixabay

Although last month brought storms and even snow, it’s now time to prepare your garden for spring planting. Now that the ground is thawed and plants are turning green, it’s the perfect time to get organized and begin planting your spring garden. Follow these easy tips to prepare to plant!

Prepare your equipment: Before starting work in the garden, you need to prepare your tools and equipment. Be sure all of your tools are thoroughly cleaned and sterilized. While storing tools through the winter months, any remaining plant sap or dirt and debris can hold bacteria or fungal spores. (“Spring Garden Prep: What You Need To Do To Get Ready To Grow”) So, take time to fully disinfect your tools with a good soak in a solution of 10% bleach to 90% water for about a half hour to kill any soil pathogens that might be present. Also, pruners, shears, and other sharp gardening tools will get dull with normal use. It’s a good idea to sharpen your tools, including equipment such as weed whackers and rototillers. A coat of oil between uses will keep your tools from building up rust. Remember, sharp, well-maintained tools are safer to use, last longer, and will make your work easier. 

Prepare your garden: First, evaluate the state of your garden, making sure raised beds, fences, containers, and the like have made it through the winter. If anything is damaged, now is the time to fix those things. Early spring is the time to add soil nutrients, ensure the soil isn’t compacted, and remove any stray weeds. (“Spring Garden Prep: What You Need To Do To Get Ready To Grow”) Some people choose this time of year for tilling unless you’re using no-till methods. You may decide to have your soil tested and amend the soil as needed. If you didn’t add a fresh layer of compost in the fall, it’s helpful to do so in early spring before you plant.

Wait until the soil is ready: Even though you’ve been waiting all through the winter to get outside into the garden, don’t get started too early, because working soil that is too wet can be damaging. If the soil forms a ball by rolling it in your hand, the soil is too moist. Walking on it and working in it can compact it too much. It’s best to wait until your soil is dry enough that it's light and loose and doesn’t form a ball in your hand.

Weed and Pest Management: Weeds have a way of erupting the moment the weather turns warm. Start by eliminating any weeds that have appeared. Taking those out before they go to seed will ward off a multi-year problem for you. "Take them out by the roots so there’s no chance of them resprouting and continuing to grow and spread." (“Spring Garden Prep: What You Need To Do To Get Ready To Grow”) Once your garden beds have been thoroughly weeded, turn over the soil in the top 6-8 inches. That way, you’ll be able to find any hidden pests that overwintered in your beds and remove them.

Finish With Fertilizer: Different plants have different needs, so choose the fertilizer you’ll need based on the plants you’ll be putting into that spot. A couple of weeks before planting is good timing for most fertilizer choices, which gives the nutrition time to spread throughout the surrounding soil. "You can also work in slow-release granular fertilizers at this time of year for long-term nutrient boosts." (“Spring Garden Prep: What You Need To Do To Get Ready To Grow”)

Once you have this spring preparation out of the way, the fun can begin – adding new perennial plants, bulbs, and wildflowers to your garden!

We appreciate you reading our blog. You can contact Raynor & D’Andrea Funeral Home at 1-800-737-0017. Or you can drop us a message here.