Johann Hunt
Close your eyes and picture it—sunlight filtering through lush greenery, flowers bursting with color, and not a single weed in sight. Sounds dreamy, right? Well, that garden won’t grow itself. Before you can bask in spring’s beauty, there’s prep work to do. Get ready to roll up your sleeves—your garden’s glow-up starts now.
Walk Through Your Garden Like A Detective
Ever walked into a room and completely forgotten why? Don’t let that happen in your garden. Take a stroll. Spot what needs fixing—overgrown shrubs, weak plants, empty spaces. Bring a notepad or your phone. No, you don’t need to interrogate the weeds (yet), but noting problem areas now saves headaches later.
Sharpen Those Tools
Ever cut a tomato with a dull knife? Frustrating, right? Now picture pruning with dull shears. Your plants deserve a clean cut, not a jagged hack job. Sharpen your tools, oil them up, and ditch anything rusty. Think of it as a spa day for gardening gear.
Prune Without Mercy
Those lifeless, scraggly branches are draining the energy from plants. Shrubs blocking sunlight? Time to clear the way. Pruning isn’t just about tidiness. It triggers new growth and better blooms. Cutting back now leads to stronger, fuller plants when spring arrives.
Say Goodbye To Weeds (Before They Take Over)
Weeds can be like uninvited guests that stick around too long. Take care of them early by pulling them out, including roots. Cover the soil with mulch to help prevent their return. If they come back, a simple vinegar solution can help keep them in check.
Test Your Soil Because Looks Aren’t Everything
Looks can be deceiving. Just because soil feels fine doesn’t mean it has the right balance of nutrients. A quick test can reveal imbalances that stunt plant growth. If it’s too acidic, add lime. If it’s too dense, work in compost. Making these adjustments early saves you frustration later.
Get A Head Start With Indoor Seeds
Why wait for warm weather outside? Certain plants—tomatoes, herbs, and flowers—can benefit from early indoor growth. Find a sunny windowsill or use grow lights. Strong seedlings mean healthier plants when they finally move outdoors.
Refresh Your Mulch
A garden without fresh mulch is vulnerable to exposed roots drying out, weeds creeping in, and temperature swings stressing plants. Don’t fret! A simple two-inch layer of fresh mulch restores balance, offering protection and stability.
Give It Room To Breathe
Your lawn has been through a rough winter—trampled, drowned, and basically left for dead. No surprise, it’s now harder than a week-old baguette. To revive it, aerate the soil by creating small holes. This lets air, water, and nutrients penetrate the soil, promoting healthy growth for your plants.
Plan For New Plants
Spring is the excuse to go plant shopping (as if you needed one). But don’t impulse buy as if it’s a clearance sale. Research what thrives in your zone. Sketch out placements. Think about height, color, and bloom times. A little planning now saves you from a chaotic, overcrowded jungle.
Set Up A Compost Bin
Stop throwing away food scraps. Instead, turn them into nutrient-rich compost. All it takes is a bin and the right balance of greens (fruit peels, veggie scraps) and browns (leaves, twigs). No need for fancy tools—just time and patience. Your garden will reap the benefits.