by Jessica A. Tucker

Created on: January 30, 2010   Last Updated: January 21, 2011

Spring is a wonderful time of year in the garden. The mornings slowly begin to warm with the sunrise, fresh buds begin to arrive on the trees, and a lively color of green can be seen erupting from plant boxes, gardens and lawns. As most gardeners are not yet busy tending to tomato plants, peppers, peas, melons, or any of the other vegetables that can inhabit a garden, this is a great time to catch up on duties like cleanup, repairs, upgrades, soil preparation, and weeding.

Cleaning.

Even before the snow has melted, there is usually a ton of cleanup that can be done around the garden and yard. Remnants and debris of the winter that may be starting to show through the snow can be collected for removal or composting. Cleaning of garden sheds and storage areas is also another good job to get done at this time of the year. As the spring thaw progresses, attention can then be moved to your garden beds, containers, and growing areas to complete any necessary repairs, spring weeding and soil preparation, readying the ground for all your new sprouts, shoots, and seeds of the spring.        

Soil Preparation

Before spring planting can commence, soil and growing areas are best to be first amended. Any remaining plant material or unwanted weeds from the previous season should be pulled or cut back, then removed from the garden. Soil can then be turned and refreshed with new soil material, peat, composting, fertilizers, and any other additions you may use. Root material that may turn up in the soil can either be left to compost back into the garden, or removed for composting outside the garden. 

Repairs.

Once the frozen earth begins to thaw and the ground becomes again workable, it is time to consider projects such as; repairing broken fencing, compost areas, greenhouses, fixing and adding rock work, looking at irrigation or watering systems, and any borders or plant boxes, that may need some loving care and attention. 

Tools and Supplies.

Spring is also a great time of the year to locate missing tools that may be starting to show themselves in snow banks, on shelves, or randomly in closets.  A warm spring day is also a good time to bring out hoses, to be stretched and laid out in the sun, draining any stagnant water and ice that may have collected over the winter.  It also never hurts to make brief lists as you go of any gardening tools that may be needed, supplies that may be running low or new seeds or plants you might want to add for the spring.   

Although it may sometimes feel like a chore, spring cleaning in the garden is extremely important, especially when hoping for a bountiful harvest and beds of beautiful flowers. 

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