HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR GARDEN AFTER WINTER
With spring just around the corner, we can increasingly feel the positive impact of the sun on our mood. It's the perfect time to plan and start big projects in your garden. The winter season, with its lack of warmth, rain, snow, and frost, has tested the soil and vegetation. How do you prepare your garden after winter? The answer is below.
PROPER START
Once the first signs of spring appear, it's time to remove the covers that protected your plants from the cold, allowing them to soak up the sun's rays. However, keep an eye on the weather and cover the plants again at night if temperatures drop, uncovering them when it warms up during the day. Also, take care of the shrubs: remove broken branches and prune them if necessary.
FERTILIZE YOUR PLANTS
Compost, potting soil, coffee grounds, and organic waste are natural products that are excellent for enriching the soil in your garden. They provide the necessary micronutrients and ensure effective plant growth.
INITIAL TASKS
From March, you can start cutting or dividing well-developed existing plants. It's also a good time to plant new perennials. Additionally, think about arranging the space properly: create clear paths with defined garden borders, and close off the vegetable garden with a wire gate. If you haven't done so during the winter, now is the time to prepare a project plan and ensure proper site preparation.
If it’s still too early for cultivation, wait a bit longer. In the meantime, develop a space management plan for your garden. Take a piece of paper and a pen, and think about the new arrangement for your fruits and vegetables. Crop rotation is essential as each plant removes specific nutrients from the soil and leaves behind elements contained in the fertilizer. Therefore, placing plants in different locations allows the soil to regenerate and prevents depletion. You can start weeding and aerating the soil using a hoe or garden trowel. Remember not to turn everything upside down to avoid disturbing the microorganisms living in the soil.
If you're eager to sow, you can start planting under covers. Take out your seedling kits to begin growing, and then set up tunnel greenhouses once your plants are large enough. Lastly, don’t forget to restart the water tank you emptied before winter.
PROPER PREPARATION
If you haven't already, prepare your set of garden tools. They will make the work easier, and help your plants grow more effectively. Check which tools are suitable for reuse, and which ones need to be refreshed or replaced. Don’t wait until the last minute. Sharpen the blades for clean cuts, remove any rust stains, and loosen any accessories that may be stuck. Finally, disinfect the tools to eliminate bacteria and prevent the spread of diseases from one plant to another during spring pruning.
ORGANIZATION
Proper organization is key. Having everything at hand and in one place is much more practical than keeping part of your equipment in the garage and another part in the garden shed.
By following these steps, you’ll ensure your garden is ready to thrive in the coming season. Happy gardening!
