Spring is the perfect time to get your garden ready for the growing season ahead. As winter fades away, your plants and soil need special attention to thrive in the coming months. With a little preparation now, you’ll set yourself up for a beautiful, healthy garden all year long.
Taking time for these early spring gardening tasks will reward you with stronger plants and fewer problems later. From pruning damaged branches to preparing soil, these essential chores help your garden bounce back from winter and prepare for new growth. The weather is cool but workable, making it an ideal time to get outside and start bringing your garden back to life.
In this article, we'll cover
1. Clean up flowerbeds
Start your spring gardening by clearing out winter debris from your flowerbeds. Remove dead leaves, broken branches, and any plants that didn’t survive the cold months.
Look for weeds that have popped up and pull them before they get established. This is easier when the soil is slightly damp.
Check for any damage to your garden edging and fix it now before plants start growing.
2. Prune trees and shrubs
Early spring is the perfect time to get your pruning shears out. Remove any dead or broken branches on your deciduous shrubs first. These are easy to spot before new growth begins.
For spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia and lilac, wait until after they bloom to prune them. Cutting them now might remove flower buds.
Evergreens need attention too. Start with needle evergreens like pine and juniper, then move to broadleaf varieties.
3. Divide perennials
Early spring is the perfect time to divide your perennials. This helps rejuvenate plants and stimulates new growth.
Different plants need different dividing techniques. You can separate some perennials by hand, while others need tools like a spade or pitchfork.
Asters, black-eyed Susans, chrysanthemums, coneflowers, daisies, and garden phlox all benefit from spring division. Once divided, add a layer of mulch around your newly planted perennials to help them get established.
4. Add mulch around plants
Spring is the perfect time to give your garden beds a fresh layer of mulch. Aim for a 2-3 inch layer around your plants, but be careful not to pile it directly against stems or trunks.
Mulch helps your garden look neat and polished while serving important functions. It keeps moisture in the soil, blocks weeds, and adds nutrients as it breaks down.
This simple task is one of the easiest ways to make your yard look well-maintained while helping your plants thrive.
5. Inspect gardening tools
Before you dive into spring gardening, take time to check your tools. Clean off any dirt and rust from last season.
Sharpen blades on pruners, shears, and shovels. This makes cutting easier and is better for your plants.
Oil metal parts and wooden handles to prevent rust and cracking. Don’t forget to disinfect tools to avoid spreading plant diseases.
6. Check for winter damage
Winter can be tough on garden plants. Look for broken branches, split bark, and damaged stems in your yard.
Remove any dead or damaged parts with clean pruning shears. This helps prevent disease and encourages new growth.
Don’t forget to check your garden structures too. Repair any damaged trellises, fences, or raised beds before planting time. This gives your spring garden a fresh start.
7. Stock up on fertilizers
Spring is the perfect time to add nutrients to your garden. Check your supply of fertilizers and compost now before the growing season really kicks off.
Consider organic options like compost, worm castings, or manure. They improve soil health while feeding your plants.
Specialty plants might need specific fertilizers. Blueberries, for example, benefit from nitrogen sources like cottonseed meal or soybean meal.
8. Prepare vegetable beds
Early spring is the perfect time to get your vegetable beds ready for planting. Start by removing any weeds, debris, and old plants from last season.
Check your soil structure and add compost to improve fertility. This gives your vegetables the nutrients they need to grow strong.
Repair any damaged garden beds or trellises before planting. Loosen compacted soil with a garden fork to improve drainage and root growth.
9. Plant bare-root trees
Early spring is the perfect time to plant bare-root trees! Before planting, soak the roots in water for a few hours.
Dig a hole wide enough for the roots to spread out naturally. Place the tree at the same depth it was grown at the nursery.
After planting, water thoroughly and add a layer of mulch. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. In dry weather, water deeply every 7-10 days to help your new tree establish strong roots.
10. Prune fruit trees
Early spring is the perfect time to prune your fruit trees. Wait until they’re still dormant but just before new growth begins.
Pruning helps your trees grow stronger and produce more fruit. Remove any dead or diseased branches first, then shape the tree to allow sunlight to reach all branches.
Use clean, sharp tools to make clean cuts. Remember to step back often to check your work and maintain a balanced shape.
11. Sow early spring seeds
Now is the time to start sowing your early spring seeds. You can begin gathering seeds for warm-weather crops like beans and corn that will go directly into your garden soil.
Don’t forget cool-weather vegetables like lettuce, peas, and radishes that grow well in spring temperatures. Draw shallow furrows in prepared soil, drop in your seeds, and cover lightly.
For best results, follow the spacing guidelines on your seed packets. Some plants do better when started indoors first, while others prefer direct sowing in garden beds.
12. Rake leaves and debris
Clearing leaves and debris from your garden is a key spring task. You’ll want to remove any dead leaves, broken twigs, and plant matter that collected over winter.
Be patient though! Try to wait until daytime temperatures are consistently above 50°F. This gives helpful insects time to emerge from their winter homes.
When you do rake, be gentle around perennial beds to avoid damaging new growth. Add the collected debris to your compost pile to turn last season’s waste into this season’s garden gold.