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Spring is in my opinion the most wonderful time of year for the gardener. You
can shake of that winter weariness and get ready for a new gardening season.
The most difficult part of spring gardening is trying to manage your
impatience. Don’t start digging around too early. The soil must be dry enough
to have it fall apart when you pick it up. When it still sticks together like
glue that’s definitely not the case. |
Early spring is the best time of year to change (parts of) your garden design.
You can transplant existing shrubs and perennial plants before they begin to
leaf out. This also is the time to prune your trees and shrubs. Cut back the
remaining dead foliage from last season and remove dead, damaged or diseased
branches of trees and shrubs.
And then flowers! That’s really what spring is about isn’t it! There are many
that are suitable for cool spring weather. Think of sweet alyssum, some
snapdragons, stock and sweat peas. You can also start some perennials like hostas and daylilies.
Start some Violets, Marigolds, Carnations, Geraniums and Impatiens inside
to transplant to your flower beds in early spring. Or if you have some space
left in your garden you can set up a "Cold Frame". Ready-made cold frames are
available in different sizes.
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A cold frame "captures" the spring sunlight and
warms the soil it surrounds. That way it is ideal to "harden off" houseplants
and transplants for your summer garden. You can use the cold frame for direct
seeding as well.
If you have unplanted areas in your garden a great spring project is to lay
out landscape cloth on that unplanted area. Landscape cloth is an excellent
weed barrier. It comes in different weights, heights and fabric choices. This
cloth can then also serve as a great map to precisely plant your transplants. |
Weeds start to grow very early but still have shallow roots in spring so get
them out when you spot them. Getting on top of the weeds now means a lot less
work in summer, and I’m sure that digging out weeds in the burning sun in not
your favorite pastime.
These two measures will definitely intimidate your perennial weeds to the
extent that they will prefer your neighbor’s garden over yours.
And most of all enjoy your spring garden, watch it grow and blossom into
summer!
