by Melissa Miles McCarter

Created on: February 22, 2010

Spring is right around the corner so now is the time to get prepared to clean out your garden.  Gardening doesn’t just start when you plant your first bloom, but when you get your garden ready –sometimes even before the first frost.  But you want to make sure you are cleaning smart—not hard. Here are some other tips to help you in your spring cleaning efforts.

 One of the first steps is to organize and perhaps clean your garden supplies.  To help you if this is your first garden or if you want to make sure you have everything you need, here is a great checklist.

Throw away any used or expired gardening chemicals and look for deals to make sure you have the right pesticides or growing aids for your garden this spring.  Think about going green or growing organically with this information.

Examine your current garden if you have one—take note of any plants that have been damaged by winter weather or what plants might even still be thriving.  Think about what worked in your previous garden and consider what you might consider changing in the future.

Remove dead leaves and branches—consider starting a compost if you haven’t already with this plant debris.  Mow grass and rake up excess leaves or plant debris.  Prune shrubs or bushes before new blooming occurs.

Spend some time weeding while your plants are dormant.  This is a good time to check the soil and aerate the soil. 

Look at gardening catalogs for ideas for your spring garden.  Start collecting seeds and ordering plants for your garden.

Start plowing, turning over soil, and nurturing current soil with compost or extra soil.  Mulching can be a great way to preserve and enrich your soil as well.

Examine trees for health and damage.  Trim branches and consider cutting down trees that are unhealthy or provide too much shade for a good garden.

Take pictures of your new canvas.  It is always fun to see before and after pictures of your gardening efforts.  Pictures can also help you in designing or planning your design for your garden.

Start collecting garden necessities like planters, pots, trellises, or anything else you might need for your garden this year.  Maybe you don’t have an outside garden and just want to attend to houseplants—this step is key for you.

Learn more about this author, Melissa Miles McCarter.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.