When I left my house for work on Monday morning, a blanket of snow covered the grassy surfaces. Two days later, and I can see mostly grass and some larger snow banks–it all melted so fast. I don’t want to get caught in the old midwestern trap of thinking spring is here because we have a few nice days. However, I can’t help but feel eager for the beauty and warmth of the spring and summer months. So what’s a Wisconsin girl to do in these last few weeks of winter? Dream of warmer, brighter days and prepare for spring planting.
Prepare for Spring Planting
While it may still be several weeks until you can get out into your yard, it’s never too early to plan and prepare. Gardeners in northern states may not be able to start working in their yards until mid-spring. Warm and moderate climates provide the benefit of gardening for longer during the season. No matter the climate you live in, here are some things to consider when preparing for spring planting.
Early Spring Garden Preparation
1.) Plan for What to Plant
This can be done months before the planting season starts. Some people never stop thinking about planting—we call these people plant-a-holics, and we LOVE them! Browse online garden stores like Holland Bulb Farms to see what you may want to add to your garden this year. If you want to attract pollinators to your garden, shop their selection of bulbs and perennials for pollinators. Have deer feasted on your garden in the past? Look for deer-resistant plants to plant this year.
Vegetable gardeners often dream of their vegetable gardens and how they will improve them from season to season. Plan for what seeds you will start indoors. Draw up a rough layout of what vegetables will be planted in each location and determine if things need to be moved around. My husband and I are always moving around vegetables due to light conditions changing and experimenting with different vegetables in different locations. Having a rough idea of what vegetables to plant and where will ensure a better outcome in summer.
2.) Tool & Supply Inventory
Take a gander in your garage or garden shed, wherever you keep your tools and supplies. Ask yourself these questions to determine the status of the tools and supplies you have and may need. Do you need more potting soil? What tools do you have? Are the tools you have functioning? Could your garden tools benefit from an upgrade to make this season better and more efficient? How do my decorative containers look? How many do I plan on planting this year? Do I need basic nursery pots or trays for starting seeds or bare-root perennials? Do I have watering tools like a watering can, hose, and watering wand? What is their condition? Will I need tomato cages or other support systems for vegetables, flowers, or fruit?
In Season Spring Garden Preparation
When spring finally arrives and you can get out into the yard, there are things to prepare to set yourself up for success. Of course, you can assess what needs to be done before you can put the work in. This could be planning for fresh mulch in garden areas or adding soil to your vegetable garden.
1.) Spring Clean Up
Cleaning up your planting beds and garden areas first thing in spring. Prune any dead branches and stems from trees, shrubs, and perennials. This could also include cutting back ornamental grasses left up for winter interest. Remove any early weeds that are popping through the soil. Clear any leaves from fall lingering in garden beds and planting areas. Freshen up bed edges.
2.) Garden Bed and Landscape Preparation
Add a fresh layer of mulch to all new and existing garden areas. Use a pre-emergent to prevent weeds from growing via wind travel from weeds that germinate by seed. Check soil nutrient levels. A soil test can be done if you are unsure of the nutrients and quality of the soil. Amend soil with organic matter such as peat humus or composted manure.
When spring flower bulbs like tulips and daffodils are finished blooming, it may be tempting to remove their foliage. However, it is best to keep the leaves intact until they yellow and wither; this allows the bulb to gather energy for the next season’s blooms.
Prepare for Spring Planting to Ensure Beauty and Success in Summer!
Like most things in life, putting the work in on the front end pays off in the long run. Planning what you will plant and ordering early ensures the plants arrive during the peak planting time for your location. Of course, the planting season extends beyond peak times, and late-season planting has it’s benefits as well (like clearance prices). Preparing garden beds in spring so they are properly mulched with nutrient-rich material will have a huge impact in the summer. This can translate to better water retention, stronger roots, and happier, healthier plants.
