Spring is the perfect time to garden. Here are five tips for gardening in the spring.
1. Clear out things first before planting.
Spring-time is usually when things start to regrow or begin to bloom.
Before planting new flowers, plants, or trees, take a look at what you
have already. Survey your yard and remove anything that's dead. Some
things don't make it through the winter, and by now you'll be able to
see what made it and what didn't make it. If you are planning on growing
a garden, it's best to till the soil first instead of just digging a
hole and planting. Tilling the ground is good because it destroys weeds,
loosens the soil for easy planting, and helps mix nutrients in the
ground.
2. Have a plan. Draw out your ideal garden
or landscape. This will help you buy what you need so you don't buy too
much or not enough. You may decide to replant things, replace things, or
till the entire soil to start over. Some things to think about in your
plan is cost and what you want your finished project to look like. For
your vegetable garden, draw up a plan that labels where you want each
vegetable plant to go. For a nice presentation, put the tallest plants
in the back, such as sunflowers and cornstalk, and the shortest plants
or plants that grow in the ground in the front, such as carrots and
turnips.
3. Decide if you want to go organic or not.
There are some pros and cons to going organic. If you have pets that
may be around your garden, going organic means not using chemicals,
which means your pets are safe. The con about not using chemicals and
going organic means bugs and other pests could possibly ruin your
plants. Going organic is more environmentally-friendly and will produce
chemical-free plants and food, but it's more work. You'll need to
monitor your plants closely if you go organic but it may be more
rewarding for you in the end.
4. Seasonal plants are in full bloom.
The wonderful part about spring gardening is that there are many
beautiful flowers that only come out this time of the year. These are
called annuals and are usually labeled as such in stores. These
particular plants will only have one life-cycle, meaning you plant it
once, usually in the spring, and it will grow and bloom then mature and
die within a couple of months or up to a year from the initial planting.
These particular flowers are usually visually striking and are quite
beautiful. Most vegetable plants are the same concept where they are
planted and have one life cycle. Many gardeners make it a habit to
replace and replant these flowers and plants every spring.
5. Wear the proper protection while gardening.
It's not summer yet, but you're still going to be outside and in the
sun when you garden in the spring. Wear a hat that has a wide brim to
protect your face and neck. You may want to even put some sunscreen on
as well if you plan on gardening for a couple of hours. It's also best
to wear protective gloves. This will help protect your hands, keep them
clean, and make it easier to work with the soil. Gloves can help you get
a good grip on plants if you are transplanting them as well. If you are
working close to the ground, get a cushion for your knees so you can
work at ground level. This will help you not hurt your back by bending
over. Take breaks when you need to and drink water so you don't become
dehydrated. It's best to start early in the morning while the ground is
still soft from morning dew. This is also a good time to start since the
temperature outside is still cool.
