A Garden Action Plan for Spring Planting!

Winter is a perfect time to prepare for spring. Here are some basic guidelines to get you off to a great start and to keep you from getting overwhelmed.

 First, take inventory of your tools and keep a list of garden supplies you may need. The good news is many of these things may be on sale during the ‘off season.’

Quick List:

• Fertilizers and Soils
• Pruners
• Tools
• Gloves
• Hoses and watering cans
• Seeds
• Inspecting any watering systems and winter protection they may need or repairs

Next, make diagrams of your yard. They don’t have to be drawn to scale, just get the lay-of-the-land and list the main plants in each garden bed or area. Is there anything you’ve wanted to add? Is there an area that underperformed last season? Which areas get sun and which are in the shade? What areas were more dry or retained water better?

Fall: Sheet mulch where you plan to put out seedlings. Divide overgrown perennials and plant spring bulbs if desired. Plant shrubs or other perennials.

Late Winter/Early Spring: If needed, prune back deciduous shrubs (not spring blooming ones!), broadleaved evergreens and cut back ornamental grasses. Clean out pots and containers for decks and patios. 

Early Spring: Layer in manure & compost in bed areas if you didn't last fall. If frost is gone, plant your new plants and summer or fall blooming bulbs.