WHAT CAN BE DONE OUTSIDE WHILE IT’S STILL COLD?

Early spring is a great time to prepare for the planting season ahead. These tasks you can do now will help get your garden ready for the season.

Uncover

Remove winter covers from plants and shrubs. This will allow your plants to adjust to the warmer weather and increased sunlight.

Mulch

Carefully remove winter mulches from planting beds. Be sure not to dig up bulbs or harm established plants. Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch around established trees and shrubs. Mulch prevents weed seeds from growing, protects the soil from erosion, and enriches the soil with minerals and nutrients. Use an organic mulch such as Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Natural Mulch.

Amend soil

Prepare beds for spring by turning soil as soon as the earth is workable and loose enough to dig with a shovel or garden fork. Be careful not to disturb any bulbs or emerging plants as you turn the soil. Add 3 to 4 inches of fresh organic soil on top of your beds and work into existing soil. For my raised beds, I use Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil which contains a quick release natural fertilizer.

Prune

Regular pruning helps develop proper shape while encouraging new growth and good plant health. Generally, pruning shrubs in late winter or early spring causes the least trauma to the plant. If you live in a colder region, however, wait for new growth to identify winter-killed branches and for spring-blooming shrubs to flower.