Spring Garden Checklist

Think of your garden as an artist's canvas. Before you can create a masterpiece, you need to start with a clean slate. This step is all about removing the remnants of winter and setting the stage for new growth.

• Debris: Grab your rake and clear away dead leaves, plants, twigs, branches, and any other debris that accumulated over the winter. This not only improves the appearance of your garden but also helps prevent the spread of diseases and pests that might be lurking in the leaf litter.
• Rocks: Frost can heave rocks to the surface. Remove them to create a smooth surface for planting.
• Compost: Gather all that organic debris and either start a new compost pile or add to your existing one. Composting is a fantastic way to recycle garden waste and create nutrient-rich soil amendments for later use.
• Weeds: Tackle those early-spring weeds now. The more weeds you eliminate now, the less competition your plants will face for sunlight, nutrients, and moisture later in the season. Hand-pulling is effective for small infestations, or you can use a hoe for larger areas.
• Decor: Give your garden decor a little TLC. Scrub garden statues, birdhouses and bird baths to remove algae and grime. Check for any damage and make repairs as needed.
• Edging: If you have in-ground beds, use a flat-bladed spade or a lawn edger to create a crisp, clean edge around the perimeter. This not only looks great but also helps prevent grass from creeping into your garden beds.

Why This Task Matters: Removing debris and weeds eliminates hiding places for pests and diseases, improves air circulation, and allows sunlight to reach the soil, warming it up for planting.

Your garden tools are your partners in crime, so treat them well! Taking the time to clean and sharpen your tools now will make gardening tasks easier and more enjoyable throughout the season.

• Sharpening is Key: Sharpen hand pruners, loppers, spades, and shovels. Sharp tools make cleaner cuts, which are less likely to attract diseases. You can sharpen them yourself with a file or take them to a professional.
• Hose Check: Inspect your garden hose for leaks and cracks. Repair or replace as needed. Consider setting up rain barrels to collect rainwater for irrigation – it's a great way to conserve water and save money.
• Clean and Organize: Clean your tools with soap and water to remove dirt and grime. Store them in a dry place to prevent rust. Organize your tools so you can easily find what you need when you need it.
• New Tool Time: If you're new to gardening, now's the time to invest in a few essential tools. A good trowel, hand rake, and gardening gloves are a great place to start.

Why This Task Matters: Sharp, clean tools make gardening tasks easier and more efficient. They also help prevent the spread of diseases.

Spring is the perfect time to give your trees and shrubs some attention. Pruning helps maintain their shape, promote healthy growth, and encourage flowering and fruiting.

• Dormant Pruning: Trim ornamental grasses, prune rose bushes, and cut back deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves annually) while they're still dormant. Dormant pruning encourages vigorous new growth in the spring.
• Fruit Tree Training: This is also the time to train and prune fruit trees. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Open up the canopy to allow sunlight to reach the inner branches.
• Know Your Plants: Before you start pruning, research the specific needs of your trees and shrubs. Different plants have different pruning requirements.
• Feeding Time: Once you’re done pruning, give your trees and shrubs a boost of nutrition with Miracle-Gro® Tree & Shrub Plant Food Spikes, following the directions on the package when applying.

Why This Task Matters: Pruning promotes healthy growth, improves air circulation, and encourages flowering and fruiting.

Soil is the backbone of successful spring gardening. If you think of it as an earthy environment for plants to cling to, you're not wrong, but high quality soil does so much more, like provide essential nutrients. Plus it has the right texture for roots to spread out. Since not all soil is created equal, make sure you're kicking off the spring season with the good stuff by improving the soil anywhere you intend to plant.

• In-Ground Beds: For in-ground beds, pick up a handful of earthy soil and squeeze it. If it crumbles easily, you can get started, but if it sticks together in a clump, that means it's still too wet and it's better to wait a little longer so more winter moisture can evaporate. Once it's dry enough to work with, mix 3 inches of Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil into the top 6 inches of your native soil. Check out our article How to Prepare Your Garden Bed for Planting for more information.
• Raised Beds: Top off your raised beds with Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil, our organic, peat-free mix formulated with upcycled green waste. Not only great for improving your in-ground soil, it’s also perfect for your raised beds.
• Container Gardens: You'll also want to replace any potting soil left in your containers from last year. Fill your container with fresh Miracle-Gro Organic™ Outdoor Potting Mix which contains a quick-release natural fertilizer that feeds your plants for up to 2 months.

Why This Task Matters: Healthy soil provides plants with the nutrients, water, and air they need to thrive.

If you've started early-season seedlings indoors, now's the time to prepare them for spring.

• Harden Off Seedlings: Gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions by exposing them to increasing amounts of sunlight and wind over a period of 7-10 days. This process, called "hardening off," helps prevent transplant shock. Check out How to Transplant Seedlings Outdoors for more information.
• Frost Protection: Keep frost blankets on hand in case of unexpected cold snaps. To learn more read How to Protect Your Garden from Frost.

Why This Task Matters: Hardening off seedlings and preparing them for outdoor conditions helps ensure a smooth transition and prevents transplant shock.

Ready to Get Started? Once you tackle these spring garden tasks, you'll be ready to get out there and have fun once the time is right. As you know, the early bird gets the worm—and in this case, a delicious harvest and beautiful blooms, too! So, grab your gloves, gather your tools, and get ready to create the garden of your dreams!