How To Prepare Your Garden for Spring
Get your garden ready for spring with pruning tips, soil prep, choosing plants, and organizing tools. Start the season strong with our gardening advice!
As temperatures rise and flowers bloom, pollinators awaken from their hibernation in search of pollen—it’s time to start the growing season. However, you can’t simply buy plants and plant them without any preparation. Gardens require attention, including cleaning up dead plants, pruning, and preparing the soil.
Without proper soil preparation, diseases can decimate an entire garden. Our blog will assist you in selecting plants, preparing your soil, and providing you with tips to help your plants thrive this spring.
10 Must-Have Garden Tools
The last thing you want is to have plants around you, ready to be planted, but your only available shovel is meant for snow. Here’s our top 10 recommended essential tools every gardener should have:
- Fork
- Gloves
- Hoe
- Pruning shears
- Rake
- Shovel
- Spade
- Trowel
- Weeder
- Watering can or hose
What Tools and Equipment Are Commonly Used in Landscape Designing?
There is a significant difference in power and price between professional landscaping tools and those designed for gardeners. You don’t necessarily need an auger or power saw to dig holes or trim small branches. There are numerous options available, including hand tools and power tools like shears, loppers, edgers, and tillers.
You can also find specialty tools that can simplify the process and improve precision. Wheelbarrows are helpful for transporting plants, tools, and soil back and forth, while string trimmers and measuring tools aid in achieving accurate results.
Where To Buy Gardening Tools
Gardening tools are readily available—you just need to know where to find them! You can visit a local garden center for essential tools, check hardware stores like Home Depot or Ace Hardware, or shop online at websites like Gardener’s Supply and Lee Valley Tools. While buying tools online is convenient, keep in mind that shipping may take some time, and you might not be able to assess the quality of the tools until they arrive.
It’s important to do thorough research before selecting a brand. Look for online reviews from various stores and websites, and consider seeking advice from store employees or fellow gardeners. Investing in durable, high-quality tools—even if they cost a bit more—can pay off in the long run with proper care!
Yard Cleaning and Spring Lawn Maintenance
The perfect time for some spring yard work is on a weekend or weekday when the sun is shining! Begin by using a rake to clear away dead leaves, plants, and weeds. This will help prevent pests from nesting in the organic material or leftover mulch, which can also attract fungus. Finally, inspect your garden structures, raised beds, landscape borders, and fences for any winter damage and make repairs as necessary.
Why You Should Prune and Trim Back Your Plants
Before spring is in full swing and your established plants begin to bloom, it is essential to prune and trim them back. Cutting away dead or damaged branches on shrubs, perennials, trees, and bushes promotes healthy growth. Trimming ornamental grasses and overgrown plants also encourages fresh shoots and fuller blossoming.
How To Prep a Garden Bed
Prepping a garden bed for your plants will require some elbow grease. To set the foundation for success, begin with a soil pH and nutrient level test, using a soil testing kit if available. Next, breathe life into the compacted soil by tilling or aerating it. This is essential for promoting healthy root growth.
Enhance your soil’s vitality by adding organic matter that is low in nitrogen and phosphorus, such as peat moss and leaf compost. Limit the addition of fertilizer and compost to one inch to maintain a balanced nutrient supply. Finally, don’t forget to mix in limestone or perlite to adjust the pH for optimal nutrient absorption. Invest this time and care now, and watch your garden flourish like never before!
What Can I Plant in Spring?
Although some spring seasons can be chilly and rainy, it is actually an ideal time and condition to plant various spring flowers, herbs, and vegetables to start your garden. These are common plants that flourish in spring:
- Flowers. Lobelia, viola, petunia, snapdragon, ranunculus, sweet alyssum, hellebore, and primrose
- Herbs. Basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, and thyme
- Vegetables. Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, and beets
Check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to help you determine which perennial and annual plants are most likely to thrive in your climate!
How To Choose the Right Seeds and Plants
After thoroughly researching which plants thrive in your climate and soil conditions, it’s time to plan your garden layout. Whatever vegetables and herbs you choose to grow, be sure to include companion plants.
Companion plants support your other crops and attract essential pollinators. Pollinators are crucial for fertilizing flowers, which helps tomatoes grow and flowers bloom, among other benefits. Some popular companion plants include:
- Bee balm
- Coneflower
- Coreopsis
- Lavender
- Milkweed
- Salvia
- Sunflower
- Yarrow
- Zinnia
Seeds vs. Seedlings
Once you have chosen the flowers, vegetables, and herbs for your garden, the next step is to decide whether to start seeds from scratch or purchase seedlings from a greenhouse. Both options have advantages, but your choice will depend on your preferences and how quickly you want your plants to grow. Starting from seeds typically takes longer to sow and grow than using seedlings.
Sunlight Needs and Plant Spacing Requirements
Next, you should consider the amount of sunlight your plants receive throughout the day. For instance, if you’re growing lettuce and your garden gets full sun all day, the lettuce may bolt—meaning it’ll go straight to seed production instead of producing lush, leafy greens.
You should also avoid overcrowding your plants, as this can cause them to compete for nutrients, leading to one or more plants overpowering others. Be sure to check the spacing requirements for each type of plant, which can typically be found on the tag or seed packet.
How To Properly Organize and Store Your Garden Tools
Taking care of your garden tools is essential for keeping your outdoor space thriving! Start by giving your tools some TLC—clean them thoroughly, sharpen the edges, and apply oil to keep them in top shape. This will help extend their life span and prevent the spread of viruses between your tools and the soil.
When it comes to storage, a dry and steady environment is key to warding off rust. Plus, don’t underestimate the power of organization! Hang your tools on the wall using a hanging rail, hooks, or pegboards to maximize your space. This keeps them off the ground, easy to reach, and ready for next season.
Get Ready for a Thriving Garden With Self Storage Plus
With gardening tips and tricks, you can make sure your spring garden thrives. When it’s time to store your tools for the winter, consider Self Storage Plus. Our climate-controlled storage units have a consistent environment 365 days a year, helping to maintain the condition of your equipment. Most of our storage facilities also offer access seven days a week, allowing you to pick up or drop off your items on your schedule.
Give yourself more Room to Pursue Life® and find a Self Storage Plus facility near you! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us online, call us, or explore our FAQ page. Start prepping today, and enjoy your flourishing garden all season long!