We are back and we are ready to continue to prepare the garden and our planting spaces to get them ready for spring which is right around the corner. Here are 3 very important tasks that we can do to prep our spaces as the temperatures begin to warm up.

Directly Sow Our Cold Crops

Veggies like spinach, radishes, peas, carrots, kale, and lettuce can all be planted while the ground is still relatively cold. By doing this they are able to take advantage of the spring rain which means that you will have to do less watering. This also reduces the number of pests that usually like hotter temperatures. You will also be able to harvest these sooner since they got in the ground earlier, which overall will extend your growing season so that you can get more produce out of your garden.

Using the USDA Hardiness Zone Map these are the average last frost dates that you can use for reference (not to be used exactly)

Clean Out and Prepare Garden Beds and Planters

If you haven’t had time to do this during the winter now is the perfect time to get your beds and planters ready for the spring season. Make sure to clean and rinse out old soil and that rocks and bugs haven’t made their way into them when it was cold out.

Now when it comes to preparation, here are some steps that you can take so that you have the most success for your beds:

1. Watch the sun pattern for your property – this will help with the next step.
2. Choose a sunny spot – the cold hearty crops need minimum 6 hours of sun a day, so you want to choose the best spot for them to thrive.
3. Make sure that your loose – this is the time to break up those parts that may have clumped up due to the weather.
4. Add your soil amendments – now you can add those nutrients and compost that help your garden thrive!

Reinforce Borders and Fences

Now that it is a bit warmer outside, it is a great time to go along the perimeter of your property to make sure that all of your fences and borders and still working and are sturdy. This is especially helpful if your family faces inclement weather over the winter holidays. Even if you didn’t get bad weather, the drop and rise in temperature might have contracted and expanded the ground around your posts, making cracks and causing some points where it may be little wobbly. The same can be said for any portable fences on your property. Make sure to test your electric fences and patch up any places that might be a bit damaged or have gotten disconnected.

For now, though, I hope you have some perhaps forgotten tasks that you can complete before the spring season really gets underway! They say that when you are already ready you don’t have to get ready! Remember that preparation comes with practice and learning when you and your garden need helps with your future success!

Until next time, as always, Plant with a Purpose! – BTR