Spring is one of the most anticipated seasons for gardeners because it is the planting season. Therefore, prepare your garden for spring if you want a nutritious harvest. Here are tips to help you prepare for spring.
Inspect Your Shed
The first step when prepping your garden for spring is to review all the gardening tools. Sharpen all blades and oil the hinges of your tools. It is easier to dig and cut with sharp and well-oiled tools.
Another thing you should do when inspecting your shed is to replenish your supplies. Ensure there are sufficient fertilizer and soil amendments. Also, add your supply of plant support and re-assemble structures like tomato cages.
Prepare the Soil
The soil is compacted during winter; therefore, you should loosen the soil by tilling it before spring. Use a sharp spade or tiller to loosen the soil. You can also mix the soil with leaf litter or mulch while turning it up.
Add compost after softening the soil. You can buy the compost locally or get it from your kitchen or garden scraps. Compost improves the health and drainage of your soil. Run a soil test to determine whether the soil pH and nutrient levels are fine. Finally, rake the soil level and water it so it can settle and release air pockets.
Weed Prevention
One of the most annoying things for gardeners is the spread of crabgrass and pesky weeds. Start with crabgrass prevention and proceed to weed control. This includes plucking off weeds from your grass and garden beds.
Next, spread a thick layer of mulch to prevent weeds. According to the University of Georgia Extension, applying mulch between rows effectively controls weeds. After cleaning up the garden bed, rake back any remaining mulch.
Create a Planting Calendar
Many gardeners have difficulty recalling the time of year when they planted a particular seed. It is much more tricky remembering how long seeds take to harvest. You can avoid all this guesswork by creating a planting calendar or notebook.
Creating a planting calendar helps you note maturity dates, diseases, and harvests. It will also help you determine the types of seeds you have not yet planted.
One of the joys of living in Georgia is the presence of mountain regions and forests alive with plants year-round. Spring is an exciting time for gardeners in this region because it is the planting season. However, you must be well-prepared to make the most of this season. The above tips will ensure you enjoy springtime’s blossoms and bounty.
