Gardening Tips for the Spring

As the winter frosts begin to fade away and little seedlings sprout, it’s finally time to dust off your gardening supplies and tools and embrace the beginning of spring! Whether you’re an expert at gardening or just a beginner, here are some essential tips to keep in mind to make sure your garden thrives this spring!

PREPARE THE SOIL AND PLAN A LAYOUT

The most important step starts before you cultivate anything; prepare your soil! Take the time to prep the soil by removing any rock, weeds, and debris and turn the soil to aerate it. Incorporate organic matter like compost or manure to improve the fertility and soil structure of the soil. Once you’ve prepped your soil, it’s time to start planning. Choose a layout that works for your garden size and area and decide what you want to plant where. Consider factors like sunlight exposure, water drainage, and the size of the plants when they are fully grown. Group like plants together, making watering and sunlight needs easier to measure and maintain. Choose the right type of plants for the environment, climate, and soil type. Opt for native species whenever you can, since they are best adapted to local conditions and won’t require as much maintenance. Be sure to include a mix of flowers, herbs, and vegetable plants for a diverse and colorful garden.

START INDOORS

Something a lot of people don’t consider is that they need to start the planting process inside, not outside. Particularly for plants that have a longer growing season (like peppers, tomatoes, or eggplants), you want to be sure to start the seeds indoors weeks before the final frost date (when spring officially starts). Use starting seed trays or small pots filled with potting mix and give these baby seedlings adequate light, warmth, and water for them to sprout. Once they have begun to develop, they can now be transported into the garden. Slowly and gradually expose these seedlings to outdoor conditions before planting them in their final location outside. Be sure to water them thoroughly, just like you did inside, to help them establish their roots in the new soil.

MULCH, WEEDS, AND WATER

Mulch, weeds, and water are the most important part of keeping up with the growth of your plants. Apply layers of organic mulch like straw, wood chips, or leaves around the plants to suppress weeds from popping up. It also helps the plants to retain moisture and regulate the overall temperature of the soil. Be sure to keep weeds in check by pulling them regularly or using mulch to smother them. As temperatures rise, plants will need more water and overall hydration. Be sure to water deeply but also infrequently to encourage deep root growth. Shallow and constant water will promote shallow roots, which isn’t what you want in terms of a strong, healthy, deep rooted plant. Water earlier in the morning to reduce evaporation and also minimize the risk of other fungal diseases on the plants.

PESTS AND PRUNING

Lastly, it’s important to continue to monitor your new and old plants for pests and diseases. Keep an eye out for the first sign of any pests in your garden, like chewed up leaves, discoloration along the plant, or wilting plants. Try to identify the problem as early as possible and then take appropriate action, whether it be handpicking the pests and getting rid of them, applying pesticides, or removing infected plants to stop the spread. Be sure to also prune your plants by removing dead branches or leaves or any stems that are crossed up among others or causing overcrowding. Without doing so, your flowers and leaves will struggle to bloom.