Spring Garden Checklist
Scott's Spring Garden Checklist – How to Prepare for Success
As we wait for the cold winter months to begin to ease, many gardeners are eager to shake off the chill and get their hands back in the dirt. But before you dive into planting, it’s important to properly prepare your garden and yard so that your yard can thrive in the warmer months. There’s a lot to consider but getting your checklist started before Spring arrives will help you get organized before the other projects and chores the warm weather brings begins!
1. Clean Up Winter Debris
The first step in preparing your garden for spring is cleaning up the winter debris. Over the colder months, leaves, broken branches, and other debris may have accumulated. Start by removing this debris as it can harbor pests, diseases, and fungi that will make it harder for your plants to thrive. Make sure to clear any mulch around the base of your plants to prevent rot.
2. Tidy Up Your Conifers
Conifers like cedars, pines, and spruces are hardy evergreens that provide year-round structure and beauty in your garden. However, during the winter, they can accumulate snow, ice, or wind damage. For cedars in particular, it’s important to inspect them for any broken or damaged branches. Trim away dead or damaged growth to encourage healthy new growth and to maintain the shape of the tree.
Spring is also a good time to remove any “winter burn” – a common issue where the tips of the cedar’s leaves turn brown. Although this damage can’t always be reversed, trimming away the browned tips will help the plant recover and encourage healthier growth.
* If you want to shape your conifers, it’s best to do so early in the spring before new growth starts to emerge. Be careful not to prune too aggressively, especially if you’re dealing with young or small trees, as they can be sensitive to heavy pruning.
3. Checking in with Perennial Shrubs
As the snow melts, it’s time to check in on your hardier shrubs like hydrangeas, roses, and other perennials. Each of these requires specific care to ensure they bloom beautifully in the spring and summer.
Hydrangeas: Many hydrangea varieties, particularly those that bloom on new wood (like Hydrangea paniculata), should be pruned in early spring before new growth begins. Cut back the previous year’s blooms to a healthy bud or branch, but avoid cutting back too hard. For older varieties that bloom on old wood (such as Hydrangea macrophylla), pruning should be minimal, as they produce their flowers on last year’s growth. (For further information and visuals about pruning Hydrangeas check out this resource from Old Farmer's Almanac )
Roses: Pruning roses is crucial for healthy growth and vibrant blooms. Prune your roses in early spring, after the last frost, to remove dead or damaged stems. Focusing on removing old wood, any thin or spindly growth, and crossing branches that could hinder airflow. For climbing or shrub roses, focus on removing any remaining spent blooms and shaping the plant. (Do not prune climbing roses under 3yrs. unless stem is dead, damaged or diseased).
Other Hardy Perennials: Shrubs like Spirea, Butterfly Bush, and Lilacs benefit from a good spring cleanup as well. Cut back any dead or spent flowers from the previous season to help promote new growth. For Spirea, you can prune the plant down to about one-third of its height. While Butterfly Bush should be prune within 1-2' from the ground or hard pruned (nearly to the ground) early spring to promote strong new growth.
4. Tend to Your Soft Perennials
Soft perennials such as Hostas, Daylilies, and Heucheras may still be dormant in early spring, but it’s important to inspect them for any signs of winter damage. Gently remove any dried, dead foliage to help the plant breathe and stimulate new growth. For hostas, trimming the previous season’s dead leaves down to the ground will help them emerge more vigorously (If not pruned back previous fall). Remaining Daylilies should also be cut back to remove any dead foliage, these can be cut back any time after they’ve bloomed but removing garden litter can help prevent rot. Heucheras (Coral Bells) are another popular perennial that tends to winter well, but you should still remove any old leaves or stems that may have died off over the winter. While these plants are relatively hardy, a light pruning can encourage them to grow back stronger.
5. Fertilize and Mulch for Healthy Growth
Once your plants are pruned and cleaned up, it’s time to fertilize. Early spring is the perfect time to apply a balanced fertilizer to your perennials, shrubs, and trees. This will give them a boost of nutrients as they wake up from their winter slumber. Be sure to follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging for proper application. You can find a variety of different fertilizers both general and specialized available at our Retail locations.
Finally, apply a fresh layer of mulch around your plants. Mulch helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Just be careful not to pile mulch too high or close around the base of your plants, as this can promote rot.
Checking these tasks off your list and taking care of what you already have before adding new plants to your garden is the best way to ensure their success throughout the growing season. We wish you success this season – and look forward to seeing you in the Garden Centre!