Waking Up the Garden for Spring
Preparing Your Garden While Protecting Nature
As the snow melts and signs of spring begin to emerge, it’s time to start preparing your garden for the growing season. However, before diving into your gardening tasks, it’s important to remember that many insects, like bees and butterflies, have been hibernating through the winter and may still be sleeping. By approaching your spring cleanup with care and patience, you can protect these vital creatures while also setting your garden up for success.
1. Wait Before Jumping In
As tempting as it is to start raking leaves or digging into the soil, hold off until temperatures consistently stay above 10°C and the ground has dried out. Working in wet or thawing soil can compact it, making it harder for plants to grow. Plus, insects like bees often hibernate in leaf litter and garden debris, so waiting ensures you don’t disturb their winter homes.
2. Clean Up Thoughtfully
When it’s time to tidy up, do so with care:
- Gently rake to remove thatch and dead leaves once the ground is dry.
- Check for hibernating insects in leaves and debris, and relocate them to safe areas.
- Leave some garden debris to provide shelter until temperatures are consistently warm.
Clean up your bird feeders, pots, and bird baths, and begin prepping beds by removing old mulch or debris.
3. Prune Wisely
Pruning is essential but should be done strategically:
- Cut back dead stems of perennials and prune fruit trees early in spring.
- Be mindful of insects hiding under bark or in stems.
- Prune summer-flowering shrubs like roses, spireas, butterfly bush, and some hydrangeas before new growth begins.
4. Prep Your Garden Beds
Get your soil ready by incorporating fresh compost into your beds for annuals, perennials, and vegetables. Check for frost heave around perennials and press the soil back in place.
5. Assess Winter Damage
Inspect your yard for damage caused by winter weather, such as cracked pots, broken branches, or damaged pathways. Repair these areas to ensure a smooth start to the season.
6. Tool Tune-Up
Spring is the perfect time to sharpen and repair your tools, including pruners and lawnmower blades. A well-maintained toolset makes gardening tasks easier and more efficient.
7. Start Seeds Indoors
Now is the time to start seeds indoors for vegetables and flowers you plan to transplant later. If you don’t already compost, start a pile to recycle organic waste and enrich your soil throughout the season. To reference our Gardening From Seed article and Seed Chart, click here.
8. Apply Dormant Spray
Once temperatures are above freezing, apply dormant oil and lime sulphur to fruit trees and shrubs to prevent insects and disease.
9. Plan and Visit for Inspiration
Take stock of your gardening supplies and make a list of what you need for the season. For fresh ideas, plan a visit to Canadale’s Design & Inspiration Gardens to spark your creativity.
Final Thoughts
By taking a thoughtful approach to spring gardening, you can protect pollinators and other beneficial insects while preparing your garden for a vibrant growing season. From careful clean-up to soil prep and tool maintenance, these steps ensure a thriving garden that supports both plants and wildlife.
– Happy Gardening!
