How to Prepare Your Outdoor Garden for Spring

Spring is when everything is reborn, and it’s the perfect time to get your garden ready for the mounts ahead. 

To prepare your garden for spring, there will be a bit of work to be done. From cleaning up winter debris to planting new seeds and seedlings, there will be a range of tasks to be completed, so roll up your sleeves. 

If you take the time to prepare your garden properly, you can ensure that your plants will thrive throughout the growing season and your garden will be a beautiful and vibrant space to enjoy all year long. 

Let’s look at how to prepare your garden for spring and some tips to get you started.

How to Prepare Your Outdoor Garden for Spring

When to start preparing the garden for spring

The ideal time to start preparing your garden for spring will depend on where you live and the weather conditions in your area. 

Generally, it’s a good idea to start preparing your garden as soon as the weather starts warming up and the ground thaws out after winter. Before you plant anything, a few weeks is an ideal time to start preparing your garden.

If you live in a colder climate, waiting until the last frost has passed before you start planting anything is best. This will ensure that your plants have the best chance of survival.

Plan your garden

It’s a good time to decide what plants you’d like to grow this year. Therefore you can think about what the best spot in your garden could be for them, their watering requirements as well as sunlight exposure preferences. 

If you choose to plant new summer-blooming plants and flowers, then spring is the right time to plant them in your garden.

Prepare the garden beds

Clear garden beds and the lawn from debris, dead foliage and fallen leaves.

Tidy up the borders as well. Don’t forget to remove any weeds from your outdoor space, too. In addition to that, it’s ok to cut back a third of your tall plants’ height. This will not harm them, but it will stimulate new growth.

Prune your trees and shrubs

Pruning your trees and shrubs is also necessary. Removing dead branches and foliage will not only enhance your garden’s appeal, but it will also stimulate new growth and improve your trees’ health. 

Also, other plants will benefit from pruning, such as roses, summer-blooming Spirea, Honeysuckle, Butterfly Bush, etc.

Why not start composting

It’s a good opportunity to start composting now, as dead leaves and weeds can be added to a compost bin. Basically, a compost pile consists of alternating green and brown layers. You can add most of your food waste in it as well as plant-based materials. 

All those dead leaves, wood chips, and pieces you collected while cleaning your garden can be used as brown layers. On the other hand, grass, produce peels, eggshells, coffee, tea bags, etc., can be added to your compost bin as green layers.

However, some materials can’t be used, such as animal waste, meat, dairy products, diseased plants, etc.

Mulch the garden

Mulch your garden to prevent weeds from growing. You can use organic mulch to improve soil quality and help it retain moisture.

Apply it thick enough so that it acts as a blanket. Remember that adding too much mulch to your garden may suffocate it and won’t let water drain into the soil properly.

Remove any garden pests

As you prepare your garden for spring, removing any garden pests that may have taken up residence over winter is essential. 

Pests such as slugs, snails, and aphids can damage your plants and prevent them from growing to their full potential. 

There are several methods for removing garden pests, like picking them off your plants by hand, using natural repellents like garlic or neem oil, or using commercial insecticides as a last resort. 

By removing garden pests from your plants, you’ll be helping them grow stronger and healthier in the coming growing season. Check the crowns of the perennial plant and last year’s pots for larvae.

Get your garden tools ready

Check your tools and sharpen them if you haven’t already done so in Autumn. Go through them to see what’s in good condition and what needs to be repaired. This way, you’ll have all your essential equipment for the season.

Clean up the greenhouse

Your greenhouse needs some attention, too. Make sure to remove any plant debris from the floor. Don’t forget to clean it well from the inside, too. Wash your pots and check if there are any cracks on them. 

This way, you will know if you need to repair anything or buy more pots. When you are done cleaning, ventilate your greenhouse well until it dries down completely.

Check the fence

It is essential to check your fence for cracks, and if there are any, then it’s for you to repair them. 

You can also replace your fence panels if winter has caused severe damage to your old panels.

Inspect all other structures, including trellises, to find out if you need to repair or replace those as well. Climbing plants look gorgeous on trellises in spring and summer, so you may consider planting them if you don’t have one.

Try jet washing

Jet washing is a fast and easy way to improve your kerb’s appeal. Any patio, deck or driveway can look brand new after a good pressure washing procedure. 

This gardening task can increase your property’s value, but only use jet wash in warm weather.

Low temperatures may lead to ice forming on your patio or driveway and make it slippery, which can be dangerous.

What can we conclude

Preparing your garden for spring is an essential step in creating a beautiful and thriving outdoor space.

It may take some effort, but the end result is well worth it. if you feel that some of the tasks are too much for you, you can always turn to the professionals who can help you with the garden clearance.

By following the tips above and you give your plants the care and attention they need, you can create a stunning garden that you can enjoy all season long. 

As we said before, roll up your sleeves, grab your gardening tools, and start creating your dream garden you’ll be proud to show off to your friends and family.

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