This wonderful time of year will soon begin again: the earth is warming up and the trees are starting to bloom. Before we know it, we'll be pulling carrots out of the ground and chopping tomatoes that we just picked from the garden. But even before we have plants in the garden, there is still a lot we can do to prepare it. The right amount of prep work can ensure a healthy yield. Whether you're new to gardening or already have a garden in your backyard or allotment, the following advice will help you prepare for a productive growing season. Find out how you can prepare your garden for spring here!
Clean up your storage shed
Check your different devices. Maintain your collection by sharpening the blades and lubricating the hinges. After sharpening the blades with a file, you should treat them with penetrating oil to remove and prevent rust. You'll be amazed at how much easier it is to dig or chop with a sharp and well-oiled tool - with the right equipment the whole season will be much easier.
It is highly recommended to take the opportunity to replenish your supplies. Make sure you have an adequate supply of fertilizers and other soil amendments. Also stock up on plant supports. Doing these jobs in your shed while the weather is still unpleasant will be much less of a hassle than having to deal with them later in the spring when there are many things you would rather do outside.
Preparing the Garden for Spring: Remove Weeds
Do a thorough spring cleaning, clearing away anything blocking your path until you reach bare earth again. Organic material that has died can be added to the compost pile to allow it to decompose. Fresh mulch should be removed to expose the underlying soil, while well-decomposed mulch and organic matter can be left where they are to be incorporated into the soil.
Be careful not to leave any living weeds in the garden as they may try to grow back and crowd out your garden plants.
It's time for pruning
At this time of year, there are many trees and shrubs that can benefit from a thorough pruning, especially those that bloom on new wood. Late winter and early spring are the best times to cut back old wood. At this time you can clearly observe the structure of the branches and shape the plant before the buds emerge from their dormant phase and the plant begins to invest energy in its branches. Some plantsyou should prune at this time of year: for example butterfly lilacs, hydrangeas, roses.
Before each cut, you should first disinfect your scissors by wiping them with a clean towel and some isopropyl alcohol. This safety measure will help you avoid accidentally infecting the entire garden with a plant disease. When you prune your plants, it is also a good habit to add a little fertilizer to the soil. This ensures that the plant receives the nutrients it needs to heal its wounds as quickly as possible after cutting.
Preparing the garden for spring – compost
Consider setting up your own composting facility for the next growing season if you don't already have one. Making your own compost at home is a great way to save money on fertilizers. Your compost may include kitchen food scraps and yard waste. For smaller gardens, compost with worms or use a container. For larger gardens, a three-bin system may be more suitable.
Compost for the soil
When you feel the soil is ready, consider adding compost. Compost is the best thing you can do for the soil in your garden. It replenishes nutrients used up in the previous growing season, improves soil structure and creates a comfortable environment for beneficial insects and microbes. Adding compost to restore nutrients to the soil should be done at least at the beginning of each new growing season.
If you don't already have your own compost, you'll need to look for a good supply that's suitable for creating vegetable gardens if you want to start one. Check with a garden center, compost supplier, local council or even a local farmer.Before you plant anything, cover the soil with a 3 to 5 centimeters thick layer of compost and then work the compost into the soil to a depth of about 15 centimeters.
Preparing the garden for spring – new pots and garden beds
It's easy to fall in love with the stunning new varieties featured in catalogs and end up buying more plants than you have room for in your garden. Now is the time to create garden beds, set up flower boxes and order new pots so you have enough space to display all the beautiful,exhibit new plantsthat you have purchased.
