Every spring one of the things I look forward to most is getting back in the garden and yard. Living in a warmer climate I’m able to do a lot outside, but there are certain tasks that need done in the spring. Here’s what’s on my garden to-do list this spring to prep everything for the summer and beyond.
My gardening approach may look different than someone in a colder climate. Wherever you live though, there are certain gardening tasks that are helpful to do before warm weather planting. The yard may need cleaning up, garden equipment replaced, and soil prep done.
Spring Gardening Planning
I’ve had a garden for years and our family has grown a wide variety of vegetables. I’m also an avid beekeeper and we’ve more recently taken on ducks and chickens. Then there are the herbs and flowers scattered across the yard.
While what I’ve grown has certainly changed over the years, you’ll always find me growing something.
What’s the first step to gardening? Planning.
You can find your USDA plant hardiness zone here. It will tell you the last and first frost dates. If you live in a really warm climate (like me) it’s possible to have multiple growing seasons throughout the year. Someone who lives in more of a true four seasons location typically will have spring through fall available for gardening. Really cold climates just have a few months in summer.
Whatever climate you live in, be sure to check your last frost date and work backwards from there.
A Garden Planner
A garden journal or planner is really helpful. This can be an app on your phone, a computer program, or old-fashioned pencil and paper. Go over the garden plans and notes from last year. What worked, what didn’t? What do you want to change or add? Decide what you’re planting and where in the garden.
It can be fun to plan big, but also keep in mind what will actually work in your area and what you’re realistically able to do. It doesn’t make sense to grow 20 tomato plants if you only have 3 garden beds! Research how much space each plant needs so it has adequate room to grow. This is my favorite garden planning app.
This is a good way to plan for crop rotation to prevent soil depletion. I also do companion planting when I garden to boost plant and soil health. Once you know which plants you’re growing, mark down when to start the seeds and transplant outside.
Seed Starting
Once you know what you want to plant where (and when), it’s time to start the seeds. Some plants need fully warm weather to survive and need a late spring or early summer planting, depending on your area. Other plants tolerate cool weather well, like peas, lettuce, spinach, and root veggies.
Some plants can be direct seeded in the soil, like lettuce and carrots. Others work best if they’re started indoors and then transplanted. You can find my detailed seed starting guide here.
Soil Testing
This step isn’t always necessary, but it can be very helpful. Soil testing lets you know what nutrients are low or missing so amendments can be made. Local university extension offices are usually a good resource for this.
Soil testing looks at the ratios of sand, silt, clay, and the basic soil makeup. It will also show the pH and available nutrient levels. Certain plants grow best in certain soil pH levels, so it can be the difference between having a thriving garden and little or no growth.
Crop rotation, companion planting, and regenerative practices (like not doing large areas of mono-crops) help with this.
Add Compost
Once you know what’s going on under the surface, spring is a good time to add in compost. I like to add an extra boost of nutrients via compost as I’m planting my veggies, herbs, and flowers. However, you can also help improve the overall soil quality by amending with compost in the spring.
In early spring spread a layer of compost about 2-4 inches thick over the area. If the soil is clay rich and hard, then break it up first. Next, till and work the compost into the soil. You can do this with a hoe, garden rake, or even your hands if it’s a smaller area. Learn how to start composting here and how to make compost tea here.
Snip, Snip, Trim
If you didn’t already trim bushes, trees, and plants in the fall, now is the time. I like to prune bushes, trees, and anything else I need to.This gets rid of the dead waste so the plant can focus on new growth.
Here are things that can be pruned in spring:
- Dead or damaged branches
- Flowering shrubs (just the tops, before new growth starts)
- Overgrown shrubs and hedges
Trim dead growth from last year on perennials. Clean out old leaves, twigs, and dead plant material and compost them. Avoid pruning or trimming spring flowering plants like forsythia or lavender.
Organize and tidy up the garden shed and potting bench. Restock any supplies that you’re going to need. Where are your watering can, garden hose, and gardening tools? Are they where you need them once you start gardening? Clean, sharpen, and oil any tools as needed. Get rid of and replace as needed.
This is another area where it can be tempting to go out and buy all of the things. Ask yourself what you actually use and what kind of garden you have. If you only have a few raised beds on your back porch, you don’t need a large soil tiller.
If you have a rain barrel (or want one!), then this can be set up in late spring. Be sure to clean out the gutters and make sure the downspout and any necessary attachments are in working order.
Weed and Mulch
Many of the plants people call weeds are actually beneficial and medicinal plants, like dandelion and plantain. However, I also don’t want a bed full of dandelions taking up the space where I planted other veggies. Spring is the perfect time to get a headstart on the weeds. Just be sure to save plenty in the yard for the pollinators!
I like to clear out the garden beds when the soil is damp and roots are easy to pull out. They’re much easier to remove in their early growing stages than later on. They’re also less likely to go to seed and make more weeds.
You can cover the beds with a thick layer of mulch to deter future weed growth. However, it can be easier to plant smaller transplants first, then mulch around them.
Hold Up on Cleanup
It’s best to wait until warmer weather to clean up leaf litter and do yard cleanup tasks. Pollinators and beneficial insects rely on their protection during the winter and into spring. According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation:
Meanwhile, last year’s leaf litter is still providing protection for both plants and invertebrates against late-season frosts. And butterflies’ chrysalides still cling to dried stems and twigs, waiting for the right time to emerge as adults. – Xerces Society
The perfect time to start yard and garden bed cleanup depends on your area. Ideally it’s late spring or even early summer.
Maintaining Garden Areas
It’s not just the dirt and garden beds that need some loving care. Check on your garden pathways and areas surrounding the beds for any maintenance needs.
Are there any pavers that are cracked/broken and need to be replaced? Do any weeds need to be removed from walkways? Are there any spots that need replenished with more mulch or gravel?
If you have raised garden beds, pots, or other planters, check for any repairs that need to be made to these. If you want to extend the growing season, you can also add cold frames or row covers to insulate the plants.
Perennials and Cuttings
Spring is the ideal time to divide perennials and replant as needed. When a flowering perennial has grown in the same place for a while its growth can stagnate or even stop. Splitting it into several plants during early spring growth not only strengthens the plants, but can increase the flowers.
Bare root cuttings, like elderberry, are also good to start now. Here’s a guide for gathering elderberry cuttings to plant for summer. If you’re planting any trees, fruit trees, bushes, or shrubs, once the ground is no longer frozen in spring is a good time to do it.
Helping the Garden Friends
A garden wouldn’t be what it is without friendly bugs and pollinators. While many agriculturalists wage war with the natural world, bugs, birds, and bees are essential to a healthy eco-system.
I’ve already mentioned I have beehives in the backyard, but there are plenty of ways to support pollinators and other garden helpers. Try making a simple bee hotel. Take stock of any bird houses or bird feeders. Dust them off and pull them out of the garage, and see what needs to be replaced or repaired.
Hang and refill bird feeders, and clean out and refill the bird bath. Check your bat house if you have one, and if not, here’s why I recommend them! You can even plan and plant a butterfly garden.
Preparing For a Spring Garden
I know I mentioned a lot in this spring garden checklist, but don’t feel the need to tackle everything at once (or at all). As the seasons of my life have changed, so has my garden and what I’ve done with it. At times I’ve had a huge vegetable garden, other times I’ve pulled back and focused more on herbs and flowers.
Do what feels good (and doable) for you during this season. I hope that these gardening tips will help you feel more prepared for your gardening season. Whatever that looks like for you!
How do you prepare your garden during the spring? Anything you would add or I missed? Leave a comment and share below!
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