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The arrival of springtime is just over one week away and if you’re an avid gardener, there are a lot of tasks that you should be starting to check off your must-do list! While you’re probably eager to kick off March with some bare-root planting and flower purchasing, you’ll need to tame your excitement for seeding just long enough time to divulge right into the necessary maintenance that’s been neglected since the snow hit the ground. So, why not spark your enthusiasm by tackling these equally important seasonal tasks?
Many gardeners mulch their annual flower beds and vegetable plots mid-fall to prevent soil erosion, suppress weeds and protect the plants from moisture loss and shifts in temperature throughout the winter months. However, when spring rears more vibrant conditions, this layer of plant material will need to be removed to preserve the fertility and health of your soil moving forward into the summer. So, one of the first things that you want to do when the weather starts to perk up is to remove the mulch to allow the crowns of your perennials and bulbs to grow. The best part is that if the old mulch has not fully decomposed, you’re still able to reap the benefits by breaking it down into finer particles and sprinkling it among your sowed garden beds.
Spring is a great time of year to get some pruning done, especially because many of your plants have become overgrown throughout the winter months and you’ll want to pretty them up before they start to bloom. Aside from trimming awkward branch structures, you can also start to shape the plant and create any ornamentals that appease your gardening taste. Keep in mind that before you get too snip-happy, you should sterilize your pruners to avoid spreading any plant disease around your garden. It’s also good practice to add some fertilizer to the soil while you’re in the process of pruning.
Devoted horticulturalists often apply support frameworks or stakes around their foliage before winter chills set in, so, when spring arrives, you’ll want to remove your frost covers from the plants allowing them to start recapturing the heat from the sun. Keep in mind that just because it’s the start of spring, doesn’t mean that your climate will suddenly increase in temperature. In fact, many places have a cold spring and because of this, their spring preparations may start later in the month. Needless to say, as a rule of thumb, keep the covers on your leafy greens until you plan to harvest the crops and as the heat levels start increasing, lift your covers to allow pollinators to easily travel in and out of your garden beds.
You’ve likely been cooped up inside for most of the winter, so it’s time you started enjoying your outdoor space by sitting out on your patio and deck space! While it’s easy to appreciate your garden on the sunnier, spring days, it isn’t as enjoyable to savor the evenings without appropriate outdoor lighting, which is why you’ll be pleased to light up your space with some LED garden lights. Not only are these fixtures weather-resistant for the expected rainy days ahead, but they’re also classy, chic, and possess old-fashioned stakes that make it easy to place them into the ground or mount them using high-quality hardware. LED garden lights can sit at the base of your hedges, within your garden beds or any other place that needs some extra glow. You’ll be adding a beautiful addition to your yard while also contributing to a festive, spring atmosphere!
What is your favorite element of springtime gardening? Drop a comment below to compare what others look forward to.
