Spring is the most exciting time in the gardening calendar. The ground thaws, daylight hours stretch, and the urge to get outside becomes irresistible. A little preparation now sets the stage for a season of abundant growth.
Assess and Clean Up
Before planting anything, walk through your entire garden and take stock. Remove dead plant material, fallen branches, and any debris that accumulated over winter. Clearing the beds prevents fungal diseases from carrying over into the new season.
Inspect raised beds and borders for structural damage. Frost heave can shift stones and warp wooden frames. A quick repair in March saves a bigger problem in July when the beds are full of productive plants.
- Pull or rake out dead annuals and spent mulch
- Check fences, trellises, and supports for winter damage
- Clean and sharpen pruners, loppers, and shovels
- Drain and inspect irrigation lines or hoses
- Inventory leftover seeds and check expiration dates
Prepare the Soil
Cold, wet soil should not be worked too early. Grab a handful of garden soil and squeeze it. If it forms a tight ball that does not crumble when you poke it, the ground is still too wet. Wait a week and test again.
Once the soil is workable, spread two inches of compost or well-rotted manure over each bed. Fork it in lightly rather than deep-tilling; this preserves beneficial soil structure and worm tunnels that took all winter to form.
Plan Your Planting Schedule
Knowing your last frost date is essential. Cool-season crops like peas, spinach, and kale can go in the ground four to six weeks before that date. Warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and squash should wait until nighttime temperatures reliably stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Start warm-season seedlings indoors six to eight weeks before your transplant date. Use a south-facing windowsill or inexpensive grow light. Harden them off gradually by placing trays outside for increasing periods over seven to ten days before transplanting.
With this checklist complete, your garden will be ready to reward every hour of work with healthy, vigorous growth all season long.