The weather is getting warmer and the snow is melting. If you’re new to gardening, you might be wondering what you should be doing so that you will have a beautiful garden when summer comes around. Is it too early to start planting? What do you need to do to get ready for the even warmer weather that’s coming?
At Ambius, we’re plant experts both indoors and outdoors. So, if you are wondering what you need to be doing with your backyard garden this early in the spring, here are five things you should consider.
1. Weeding
Although there is still a chill in the air, early spring weeds are a real thing and they can be a real problem. Head out into the yard and start pulling those weeds. Make sure that you get them at the root so they don’t grow back.
2. Cleaning
Lots of debris can build up since you last checked out your garden in the fall. There might still be dead leaves piled up, some of it perhaps blown into the garden from the neighbor’s yard. You can also go out and remove any leftover snow or ice that might still be piled up.
3. Fertilizing
The winter can be very harsh on the soil, making it dried out, hard and compact. That kind of soil makes it tough for plants to take root and grow, so now is the time to prepare it. That does mean tilling it, turning the soil to prepare it for planting, but you also need to take this time to add compost or fertilizer. Use organic material for some of the best results. This will nourish the soil so that it’s ready for your plants and allow them to grow more effectively. You can also add layers of mulch so that weeds don’t take hold again and make a comeback.
4. Pruning
If you haven’t pruned your yard’s plants, shrubs and trees yet this year now is the time. Pruning is necessary for the health of the plants. Done right, pruning encourages the plants to grow and keeps them healthy and growing all season long. Pruning also keeps the bushes and plants looking beautiful and well-trimmed. Be sure to prune summer plants during the early spring months.
5. Planting
Yes, there is vegetation and floral that you can be planting right now. There are some early spring flowers and vegetables that will do just fine if you plant them now.
Some of the flowers you might want to consider include:
- Snapdragons
- Lilac
- Pansies
- Tulips
Some of the vegetables that you might want to consider planting now include:
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Arugula
- Cabbage
- Spinach
Now is also the time to bring out any plants that you might have brought indoors during the colder months, such as tomato plants. Keep a vigil on your garden during this time of year as the weather can be temperamental and late-winter/early-spring snowstorms, frosts and cold snaps can happen, so be prepared to cover those seedlings that manage to come out during the warmer weeks.
Need some ideas on how to give your interior a ‘spring’ look? Read “4 Ways to Spring Your Space into a New Look Without Breaking the Bank” by Ambius Designer, Laura Burns-Lambert.
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