Prepare for Spring Gardening

Spring, that wonderful time of year when flowers begin to bloom, and trees are sprouting new leaves or blooming. What a way to shake off the harsh cold of winter! Springs speaks of new life or new energy. Not only for plants but for people as well.

For a gardener, you know that a little work is involved to see the splendor of spring in your own yard. It takes a little early planning and preparation to have a vegetable garden that produces vegetables in abundance. The same is true for flower beds, shrubs and trees. And the best time to do this is the earlier the better. From December through March, depending upon where you live and your climate, is the best time to start planning and preparing your garden.

Prepare your equipment, such as lawn mower, weed trimmer, tillers, hoes, rakes, saws and shovels. Change the oil, sparkplug, sharpen and clean blades. This should be the first step.

The next step should be, cleanup. Prune trees and shrubs, then rake leaves and remove debris. Clean your bird feeders. Remember, do not use harsh chemicals or detergents to clean feeders as this could harm the birds. Also, clean and repair your outdoor furniture.

Then start your seeds inside for healty early plantings. Place seeds one inch apart on damp paper towels, then roll-up. Place on window seal and mist often to keep moist. This process starts seed germination. Once the seeds start to break open and sprout, then plant in a peat starter pot. Mist seedlings often. Once the weather and climate permits, plant in your prepared flowerbed or garden. This is also the time to transplant bulbs, even trade with your neighbors.

Once your seedlings have been started, you need to get your soil prepared. One way to do this is to call your county extension office. They make suggestions on what fertilizers you might need, when to till the ground and if you have to move your garden plot to a different location.

Remember, early planning and preparation is the key to a beautiful garden. When Spring arrives in all of its glory, your efforts will be displayed for all to see.