Spring Garden Preparation

The arrival of spring brings forth the most solitary, hibernating creature. As birds begin feathering their nests, this lone critter prepares to sow its own seeds of plenty. Spring has sprung, and the gardener prepares for another year of bounty.

Spring Cleaning

Most people avoid spring cleaning, but to gardeners this is a very important chore. Winter leaves behind a collection of deceased plant foliage in the garden. This needs to be cleared away to hasten soil thaw.

Now is the time to check all garden structures. Doing the repairs now while the garden is still dormant is a good use of time. You will want to be sure that any supports are ready before the plants are.

Spring is an ideal time to prune any bushes and trees. The budding leaves make it easy to identify the dead and damaged branches. It also is a great time to shape hedges while they are still a manageable size.

If you prune branches that are more than two inches in circumference, you should apply a protective spray. This will help prevent bugs from infiltrating the tree and causing damage. Any major tree work is best left to a professional company.

Setting the Stage

Spring is also the time to prepare the soil. Blending compost into the soil will distribute nutrients throughout the garden. The topsoil needs to be well mixed if the plants are going to thrive.

Once the ground is ready, you can start putting in your plants. The first two weeks is a critical time for new plants; be sure to provide plenty of water. Install any support structures that plants will need. It is easier to train young and pliable plants now.

Tweet, Tweet, Buzz, Buzz

Most gardens would not be complete without the resident flyers. Like anything else, bird feeders need a little spring maintenance. Now is the time to clean out old seed and disinfect your feeders. Any damaged feeders should be repaired or replaced to prevent injury to your winged visitors.

If you are fortunate enough to have humming birds visit your garden, be sure to keep these feeders clean throughout the season. The nectar mix is very sticky and will collect dirt over time. Bees also love the stuff and sometimes will get stuck themselves.

The average person does not look forward to spring cleaning. Gardens do need a little tender loving care before they are ready to produce. Grab your work gloves, put on your grungy clothes and get into the garden. The junk draw can wait till fall.