By Benedict Vanheems
January 18, 2022
Imagine welcoming spring with everything in your garden already primed and ready for a flourishing season. It’s an exciting thought! By taking a few key actions now, you can ensure your garden gets off to the best possible start when warmer weather arrives. Read on to discover the essential tasks that will prepare your garden for the growing season ahead. Let’s dive in!
1. Garden Tidy-Up
Winter is the perfect time to prepare your garden for spring growth. The dormant months give you the opportunity to tackle tasks like weeding and soil prep before things get busy.
Start by addressing perennial weeds, which can be especially tricky to manage during the growing season. Take extra care to dig out their roots completely to prevent regrowth. This proactive approach will save you a lot of time later on!
If you have bare soil in your garden, consider applying a layer of mulch. Organic materials like compost or composted bark work wonders for retaining moisture and improving soil health. Spread mulch about 1 inch deep, making sure to avoid the base of plants to prevent rotting.
Don’t forget your garden paths – top up any existing mulch, like wood chips, to keep them neat and walkable.
When it comes to ornamental borders, leave them until late winter. This gives hibernating insects a chance to stay undisturbed in their winter homes, such as inside hollow plant stems.
2. Greenhouse Spring Clean
If you have a greenhouse, now is the time to clean it thoroughly before the busy growing season begins. Procrastination won’t help! Start by washing the windows to allow as much light as possible to enter, and tidy up any clutter.
For a deeper clean, remove all items from the greenhouse, including staging, pots, tools, and any plants that have been overwintering. On a mild day, remove debris, weed the borders, and scrub all interior surfaces. Use a hose to rinse the structure, ensuring you clean every nook and cranny. Algae can be stubborn, so consider using a brush to remove it.
Once the greenhouse is sparkling, clean all items you plan to return – staging, benches, pots, and tools – to prevent any unwanted pests or diseases from hitching a ride back inside.
This deep cleaning routine should also be applied to any cold frames or plant houses you use for overwintering.
3. Organize Tools and Equipment
When the growing season ramps up, you’ll need your tools in top condition and easily accessible. Now is the time to clean, sharpen, and organize everything in your tool shed or garage.
Consider building a tool rack to keep everything neat and easily reachable. Also, take a moment to prepare your propagation station. Ensure you have clean pots, trays, labels, and the necessary potting soil for early sowing.
Instead of buying labels, you can repurpose old yogurt containers by cutting them into labels. These are perfect for marking your plants, and you can write on them with a pencil or permanent marker.
Don’t forget to stock up on essentials, like bamboo canes for supporting climbing crops. Garden centers can run low on these items as spring approaches, so buying them early can save you time and effort later.
4. Sort Out Seeds
Take some time now to organize your seed collection. Check which varieties you have, and make note of any you’re running low on or that are past their sow-by dates. You can even test old seeds for germination to see if they’re still viable, helping you avoid unnecessary purchases.
Group your seeds by their sowing month, prioritizing those that need to be planted soon. Early sowings of onions or salads are great to start now under grow lights.
By taking care of these tasks now, you’ll feel empowered and ready to take on the growing season. Are you prepared for spring? Share your thoughts in the comments below!