I know it seems like winter is never ending in this white white scenic view. It started early and there seems no end in sight…However, the weather has been promising these past few days…so maybe the groundhog was right and spring is coming early??
Early Lawn Maintenance
Either way, there are a few things you can do to get your early spring lawn maintenance underway to prepare your garden.
Soil Test
Have a soil test done on your dirt, or even do one yourself. You can pick up soil collection bags for your samples at your local extension office or purchase a soil test kit. Keep in mind that you may want to do multiple tests for your lawn soil and your garden soil as recommendations may vary whether you plan on growing flowers, vegetables or grass.
Compost Heap or Bin
If you haven’t already done so, now is a great time to get one started. These are step by step instructions on how to turn your common household and garden waste into “black gold” for your plants.
Mulch & Amendments
This is a good time to renew the mulch around all your plants before the new foliage fills out. Use the accumulated compost from the winter (yet another reason to build a compost bin if you don’t have one already) and spread it around all your plants. They’ll love you for it when the weather does finally warm up.
Shrub Roses
When your roses start to bud, you can easily tell where there is dead wood that needs to be removed. When deciding where to prune your roses, look for a healthy bud that is pointing outward. Make your cut at a 45 degree angle about 1/4″ above the rose bud. If you see brown tissue in the centre of the cane, go down a little further until you find healthy tissue. These are some tips on caring for roses.
Pots and Containers
Remove old potting soil from your planters and dump it into your compost bin. Do not reuse the same soil mix as any diseases that were present last year will carry over. Scrub each container with powdered laundry detergent and water, then disinfect the pot with bleach and water.
Rinse well.
Your pots are now disinfected and ready to plant when the weather permits.
Garden Tools
Many gardeners expend twice the energy they need to when their garden tools aren’t kept sharpened. An electric grinder or a flat file are 2 great ways to get the job done.
Start by putting the tool in a vise and make long firm strokes in one direction. When you’ve sharpened the entire length of the blade, turn the tool over and rub off any burrs. For more in-depth look, here is a sharpening methods guide.
Planning Seeds
Get out your device out and bust out your favourite nursery catalogues so you can get your order in now for all those new perennials that you had your eye on when first saw them online.
Planning and dreaming what your garden will look like ensures you will get the most out of the crucial time of spring planting. You can also pick up bulbs and seeds right from the comfort of your own home.
Plant Trees
Look for a service to provide you with trees if you have space in your garden to plant some. They can offer a space of shade and coolness in the hot summer sun. Try a tree care maintenance service if you’re looking to maintain any existing ones or acquire new ones.
Garden Journal
This can be one of the most satisfying things you can do with your time in the long winter months. Whether it is chores you need to remember to do when spring comes, or just where you put a new plant last fall, a garden journal can be invaluable.
The Gist of it
Start an early lawn maintenance will help you ensure that your garden will be set and ready for the warmer weather to come. A few easy steps will go a long way, such as performing a soil test, cleaning and sharpening your tools, starting a compost bin, cleaning your pots and more.
What do you do to for your lawn maintenance?
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