What should I do to get my garden in shape for spring?

Spring is definitely in the air! The sun is out. Temperatures are warming up. And if you’re a gardener, that means it’s time to do a bit of prep work for the burst of growing that’s ahead. To help you get started, here’s a quick list of things to do.

1. Hook up your hose — Now that we’re well past freezing temps, if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to hook up and turn on your hose. Is the connection still tight? Is the hose holding its pressure… or are there leaks? If your hose is in good shape, you’re good to go. If it’s seen better days and has issues, it’s time to buy a replacement.
2. Get your tools sharpened and ready — If you forgot to clean your garden tools before storing them for the winter, the time to do so is now. That includes sharpening your hand cutting tools, such as pruners, loppers and hedge clippers. Be sure and check your shovels and spades too — looking for cracked or loose handles and using a file to keep them sharp. And don’t forget the blades on your lawn mower — dull mower blades will tear the grass, rather than cutting it. They also put more strain on the lawn mower itself. And if any blades are bent, warped or chipped, it’s time to replace them.
3. Check your trees and shrubs — Winter weather can be particularly hard on trees and shrubs, often breaking or damaging branches. Give your trees and shrubs a good look and if you see any damage, use your newly sharpened tools to cut back below the breakage. Damaged areas can slow growth and provide an easy in for insects and disease, so keeping your shrubs and trees in top shape is a must for their health.
4. Clean out your flower beds — Even if you did a pre-winter clean-up, chances are your flower beds could still use a little springtime TLC. Cut back any dead or dried foliage, scoop out the dead leaves, and make sure everything is ship-shape and ready for the season ahead.
5. Add a fresh layer of compost — Now that you’ve cleaned out your flower beds (see #4 above), go ahead and add a fresh layer of compost. It’s a great way to retain moisture, control weeds and improve the look of your beds — especially if you prefer a more polished look.
6. Chill your summer bulbs — Even though we’re barely a month into spring, if you plan to plant summer bulbs, the time to get started is now — but not with planting. Experts recommend chilling your summer bulbs for a good 10 weeks before they’re planted. Doing so helps keep them in a sort-of hibernation, so they don’t start the growing process. Remaining dormant helps them rest and conserve energy before they’re planted and begin the hard work of growing.
7. Spruce up the patio — With patio entertaining season on the horizon, it’s time to make sure your garden furniture and patio accessories are up to the task. Check things carefully to make sure seating and tables don’t have any loose elements or other damage. Clean the cushions well, getting rid of any mold or stains. And if you have birdhouse and birdbaths as part of your patio décor, make sure they’re properly cleaned and ready for your feathered friends.

To help get your spring gardening off to a green-thumb start, we’re having an Earth Day sale on Rogue Compost. Special pricing is good April 22-27. Get details here —then get growing!