What to do in your garden in Early Spring

What to Do In Your Garden in Early Spring

Early spring is a challenging time in the garden. You see the possibilities of what your garden could be, but it’s not quite “go time” yet. It’s too cold for many of your plants to be planted, yet early season weeds are already popping up. Caught between waiting for the soil to warm up and feeling a bit of urgency to get the garden started, it’s hard to know what to focus on first.

Before you allow yourself to get anxious about all there is to be done, consider that this slower time of year can be a great gift to your garden.

Now is the time of year where you can focus on “big picture” tasks, such as preparing your beds, building up your soil and setting up systems that will make your garden thrive when the temperatures start to climb.

Read on for five things you can do in early spring to set your garden up for success.

Finalize your garden plan You can’t reach a goal if you don’t have a plan. Now is the perfect time to finalize your garden plan for the year. Write down, with realistic expectations, what you want to plant, where, and how many plants you will need. This is also a great time to consider any irrigation, supportive fencing, pathways and garden structures. In a notebook, draw out your garden plan and make note of where you will put everything. Create a plant list and a supply list and write down when you plan to purchase these items and where.

Get a soil test The best thing you can do for the long-term health of your soil is to get a soil test! You can submit a gallon size bag of your garden soil to your local agricultural extension. They will send it to a lab that will determine what nutrients your soil is lacking and what your soil is composed of. The lab will make recommendations for the amendments and fertilizers your garden needs to thrive. Use this information to purchase your fertilizer.

Clean up the garden Before grass and weeds take over, do what you can to prevent them. Start with your pathways. Pull out early weeds first. If you used landscape fabric, repair any holes or tears and reapply a thick layer of mulch or pea gravel. If your pathways are made of grass, use a shovel or edger to create a boundary line between your bed and the pathway.

Next, clean up any supplies or debris that gathered over the winter. Make a dedicated space for your tools, amendments and supplies and organize them for early access later in the season.

This is also a great time to check any irrigation or water lines for damage or blockages. Check your spigots or outdoor faucets for cracks or frost damage and make necessary repairs. Test thoroughly to make sure all of your garden beds will receive access to water. Now is the time to order new hoses, sprayer heads or watering cans as well.

Prepare garden beds Planting time is MUCH easier when your garden beds are fully prepared! Take the time now to remove decayed plant debris and weeds. Add three to six inches of high-quality compost and top with your preferred all-purpose fertilizer and amendments. Gently mix the compost and fertilizer into your soil.

If you are not planting right way, cover the bed with a tarp or boxes to inhibit weed growth.

Divide perennials, prune woody plants Before perennial plants, such as daisies, rudbeckia, and ornamental grasses put on new growth, divide any large clumps and redistribute your plants to improve air flow and encourage growth.

This is also the perfect time to prune back roses and woody plants. You can refer to your local extension office for excellent guides on how to prune and shape up your plants.

Use the slow time to set a solid foundation While the simple tasks above may not be glamourous, they are an excellent way to provide the structure for the garden of your dreams. With the proper setup, you can

prevent many problems that gardeners face during the heavy times of the growing season.

These tasks are also a great way to pace yourself and appreciate the seasonality of your garden. Before you know it, you will be surrounded by a sea of flowers that can only happen through diligence and patience. It’s totally worth it! I can’t wait to see what you grow!

About our farm

Thank you for choosing to join our family on this grand adventure, as we grow something beautiful, meaningful, and good. If we haven't met yet, I am Sara Wilson, and my husband Teddy and I own Oklahoma Cut Flower Company in Norman, Oklahoma. We are a micro-farm that grows specialty cut flowers to educate and inspire our local flower-loving community. We offer flower subscriptions, educational workshops, and you-pick flower events. We are members of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers.

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