It may be winter now, but spring will be here before you know it. If you love gardening, chances are you’re itching to get back into your hobby after a long winter. Before you kick things off, though, it pays to do some planning. Check out these tips.
Clean Your Space
Before you get started with new plants, you should clean up what’s been left behind by last season’s crop. Remove dead annuals, and trim back trees and other perennials. This is also a great time to take on any new landscaping projects that involve rocks, gravel, or other non-green parts. It’s hard to lay the groundwork for a new flower bed or set up a walkway when the area is already planted for the season, so take advantage of the downtime to get creative. Before you start planting, you should also fertilize the soil and add mulch– these two things are probably the most important thing you can do to make sure that your new plants grow as well as they can. Be sure to do some research as to the best type of fertilizer for the plants of your choice, because different ones will have different needs.
Wait Until the Right Time
How often have you walked outside to the first warm day of the year, only to be back in the freezing temps a week later? The weather can be extremely unpredictable, but generally speaking, if it isn’t at least the middle of March, more cold temperatures could easily be on the way no matter how warm it is outside. Many homeowners swear by the Easter rule: if Easter has passed, you shouldn’t see any more frost until next winter. However, this is simply a guideline, and you should mind weather forecasts to determine when to plant your garden. The last thing you want to do is to buy a yard’s worth of plants only to have them all freeze during a freak cold snap. If you’re itching to get started, place your plants into pots or other containers that can be brought inside when temperatures drop.
Pick the Best Plants
Depending on things like climate, altitude, and soil pH, you may have better luck with some plants than others. You’ll also need to take into account things like how much sunlight your yard gets, how much space there will be for your plants to grow, how often you’ll water them…the list goes on. We believe that anyone can have a green thumb, as long as they pick the right plants for their particular situation. Ask around at your favorite nursery to get recommendations, and browse the internet for plants that grow well in your climate. You can also look at plants you already have that are growing well and search for ones that pair well with them.
Any way you choose to start, don’t let the spring season sneak up on you. It may still be chilly but now is the time to prepare for your garden.
