Spring is just around the corner and if you want to prepare your space for the growing season, you need to start ticking off task after task on your checklist!

The Spring season is the perfect time to support and protect new growth in the garden. The climate is just warming up and everything is slowly turning green. And before you know it, your garden will be bursting with life!

Creating your gardening checklist for the spring season helps organize your tasks and get things done in your growing space. This goes no matter the size or style of the garden. Here’s our spring gardening checklist that can help you prepare for a successful season.

Preparing the Garden for Spring Planting

Getting your garden ready for the growing season should be your top priority. Here are some tasks that need to be taken care of ASAP:

• Check for winter damage
• Check for new growths
• Check for gardening tools and structures that need repairing
• Check the last frost date, find out what tender plants to protect
• Stock up on spring seeds or herb kits
• Inspect the garden beds, check the gardening structures
• Take a soil sample to an accredited lab to determine soil quality in the garden

At the start of the spring season, you should start planning what kinds of crops to grow this year or what building projects to try. If you have time, go to your local plant nurseries to check out what starter plants to get, what early bird deals to take advantage of, and replenish some gardening materials such as potting soil, natural fertilizers, or planters.

Give your garden a thorough check to see which structures or areas need repairing, take photos when needed. Look at your old gardening checklist and see what tasks were you able to complete last year. Once you’re done inspecting everything in the garden and getting the materials needed to prepare for the growing season, you can start doing the actual gardening.

Clean Up the Garden

It’s vital to be mindful of the changes in the season to know when’s the best time to start working in the garden. If the temperatures are averaging 50°F (10°C) or higher and you’re seeing insects coming out of hibernation, that’s a sign that it’s time to grow new crops.

• Inspect the beds for dead plants and look for signs of life
• Start cleaning the garden beds, removing unwanted growths and debris
• Clear away leftover mulch used for perennials in the winter, the ground should be bare
• Trim dead stems and leaves from perennials
• Pull weeds at the roots
• Consider installing landscape fabric to suppress weed growth
• Add trellises, stakes, and other structures to support and protect new growths
• Keep the edges of the beds as neat and defined as possible
• Add slow-release and organic fertilizers when needed
• Add compost to enrich the soil
• Top the soil with mulch to maximize moisture, control weed growth, and improve the look of the garden

Pruning and Trimming Greeneries

From trees to shrubs, vines to grasses, plants that bloom late in the summer or sal season should be trimmed in the spring season. And when it comes to pruning and cutting greeneries, you need to avoid snipping off buds that produce future flowers.

• Repair or install trellises for creeping and climbing plants (vines)
• Trim back dead growths on deciduous grasses
• Trim the trees and shrubs, avoiding the buds
• Remove dead, damaged, and diseased branches
• Remove winter covers, including burlap covers
• Cut back late summer and fall crops

Sowing, Growing and Propagating Plants

Once the ground becomes warm and soft enough, you can start tilling the soil for planting different crops.

• Plant summer flowering bulbs
• Sow cool-weather vegetables for early crops when the temperature rises
• Install frost covers, cold frames, and cloches to protect annual plants
• Get bulbs out of storage for spring planting
• Start reseeding patchy spots of the lawn or grassy areas
• Start growing wildflower ground cover
• Take softwood cutting and grow more plants

Transplant Indoor Plants Outdoors

Got a lot of indoor plants waiting to be planted outdoors? Now’s the best time to do it.

• Transplant indoor plants outdoors
• Transplant hardened seedlings
• Take houseplants to the patio for much-needed sunlight
• Take out potted trees or start bulbs in a container, water deeply and bring them to a sunny spot outdoors

Be sure that the season has transitioned near or after the last frost date to transplant the indoor plants outdoors.

Checking Gardening Tools and Equipment

• Clean and sharpen your gardening tools
• Set up or install the garden hose
• Set the rain barrels to collect rainwater and reduce water consumption
• Clear rain gutters of debris
• Inspect the wheelbarrow for damage and make necessary repairs
• Get your lawn mower blades sharpened
• Install eco-friendly gutter guards

Cleaning and Repairing Garden Structures

If your garden comes with different structures such as birdbaths, feeders, fountains, ponds, etc., these should be cleaned and repaired (if needed) so that migrating birds will come to your garden and pollinate the plants.

• Remove pond heaters if there are any
• Set up the fountain or pond pump
• Clean out the garden shed and storage areas
• Clean up or set up nesting areas and boxes
• Clean and fill the birdbaths to attract more birds
• Set up feeders for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators

Improve Your Outdoor Space

If you have structures that need to be put in storage, like winter accessories, garden arts, and delicate decors, time to pack these up for the next winter season. Start decorating the space for the spring and summer seasons. Set up the patio furniture because warmer weather calls for lots of outdoor activities like BBQs, garden parties, picnics, etc. Also, elevate the look of the garden by cleaning, repairing, or installing:

• Fences or privacy walls
• Adding seating areas and tables in the garden
• Cleaning or setting raised garden beds or elevated planting boxes
• Set up the potting table
• Add more spring-appropriate decors (wind chimes, glass stakes, gazing balls)

Now that the winter season has passed, it’s time to kick off the garden season by completing your gardening checklist. Breathe life back to your garden by stocking up on your gardening essentials. Check out our online store for your gardening must-haves for the spring season.