Getting Ready For Spring

Spring is finally upon us, the weather is getting warmer and your plants are just about ready to start blooming. After over three months of harsh and chilly conditions, we need to get our soil and foilage up to scratch right away. 

Here are a few things you can do to get your garden ready to receive all that Spring goodness when the time is right.

Revive your Compost & Soil

Every avid gardener needs compost. And, if you haven’t already started one, spring makes the perfect time to learn how to make compost and to add a bin to your outdoor space. That way you can add any spent foliage to it – not weeds – as you tidy up, then by next spring you’ll be able to use the organic matter to fortify your soil. 

If you have a compost, turn it in if you haven’t in a while and have it at the ready for your soil

A while ago we discussed how you could make your compost in our article Junk You Didn’t Know Was Fertilizer, this is an awesome read if you missed it. 

The harsh winter weather takes its toll on garden soil and we all know that healthy soil means healthy plants. To test for soil quality, grab a handful of soil and squeeze it tightly. When you open your fist, the soil should crumble instead of forming clumps. Test it for pH level if necessary and enrich accordingly: add dolomitic lime to raise pH or sulfur to lower pH. Add in some compost or well-rotted manure, using a spading fork to mix in everything properly. 

Clean Up The Garden

Starting with a blank(ish) slate makes it so much easier to tackle other spring gardening jobs. It’s important to get the fundamentals into a good state, then you can spend more time focusing on your plants, garden borders, and more later on, and getting it right!

Remove leaves and debris from your lawn using your best leaf blower if you have one, taking note of areas that need reseeding. Cut down foliage from perennials and compost it. Divide clumped perennials for later replanting or sharing with friends.

Revive the Edge on Those Tools

After months of languishing in the garden shed, even the best gardening tools will need some TLC. Shears and hand pruners may be ingrained with dirt that could infect newly pruned plants. 

Almost all tools are easier to work with when cleaned and sharpened, so hone spades, trowels, and hoes with a file and apply lubricating oil.

We have a few great sharpening tools from Multi-Sharp available at affordable prices to get your shears and chainsaws sharp as ever.

Start Pruning those Branches and Shrubs

If you didn’t manage to prune your trees before or during winter, then you need to do it now. Remove damaged, dead and diseased branches, but take note whether a certain plant is best pruned before spring growth or right after flowering. Pruning fruit trees is best done in late winter or early spring. 

Also, take time to thin dead foliage now before new growth begins and thinning becomes too difficult and always use the best secateurs you can.