Though it’s technically still winter, the days are starting to become longer and the temperatures a bit more mild, which means that spring is starting to peek its head out. For many, the arrival of spring means gardening season. And if that’s you, it’s safe to assume that you’re itching to get out and about and start planting. Though it’s still a bit too early to spread seeds around, it’s the perfect time to begin prepping for the season. To help you better prepare, we have a few tips so that you can get your garden in order for the arrival of spring.
Take Stock Of Your Tools
- Tune your gas-powered equipment. This entails sharpening your lawn mower blades, draining and replacing fuel, changing spark plugs, topping off the oil, and ensuring that everything works as intended.
- Repair digging tools. Many gardeners sharpen the digging blades of their shovels with a coarse file each year. Also, be sure to wash off old dirt and spray with oil to ward off rust.
- Sharpen and oil pruning equipment. Sand off any rust using steel wool. Sharpen equipment with a sharpening stone and coat blades and moving parts with a light penetrating oil.
You might also like: Cook In-Season With These Satisfying Recipes
Fix Up Your Yard
Winter has more than likely taken its toll on your yard. Sticks, debris, mud, dead grass, dried leaves, and more have left your yard looking the worse for wear. As a result, it’s time to start grooming your yard. This includes:
- Raking and restoring. Bag up sticks, rake your beds, and collect leaves that escaped the fall collection. When you rake your beds, add the old mulch to a compost pile then spread a 1/2-inch layer of the compost over the bare soil to replace nutrients.
- Prune. Pull out the annuals that have died over the winter and toss them in a compost pile. Any perennials that weren’t trimmed in the fall should be chopped down to about four inches tall. Prune ornamental trees, shrubs, and vines to remove dead wood.
- Sculpt. Be sure to sculpt your flower beds with an edging tool to maintain clean, crisp lines to keep lawn grass from invading.
Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.