A little bit of planning can go a long way in gardening. 

Spring is the best season for any garden, and the best gardeners start thinking about spring in the middle of winter. Once spring arrives, many gardeners will be busy planting, applying their mulch, weeding, and admiring their Tuscan toppings.

We’ve brought you this 7-step checklist to ensure you’re on the right track and have a blooming garden once temperatures rise. 

Clean Up Your Garden 

It’s easy to leave your garden unattended during winter. 

However, over the course of several months, your garden will have collected all kinds of leaves, debris, weeds, etc. It’s a good idea to clear your garden of anything unwanted before the start of spring. 

Special care needs to be taken when it comes to weeds. Weeds may already have started seeding and these seeds may grow into even more formidable weeds once spring resumes. It’s important to remove weeds before they can begin to smother your desired flowers and plants. 

A lot of gardeners believe that dead leaves should not be removed since they can add organic matter to the soil but it’s important to maintain a balance since too many leaves can hinder new growth. 

Soil Health 

Once you’ve cleared your garden, it’s time to prepare your soil. 

After a long winter, the soil will have hardened and become more compact. This can make it harder for new growth to flourish. To make your soil plant-ready, you should till or turn over your soil until it becomes workable. That’s the first part. 

Next, test the pH levels of the soil to make sure that it’s neither too acidic nor too basic. You can correct the pH level by adding fertilisers and soil amendments. The exact desired pH level will depend on the type of plants that you’re going to grow. 

Mulching 

Mulch can help take a garden from good to great. 

While mulching might not be essential, it provides a good push to your overall soil health which can have a vitalizing effect on your plants. Some common things that can be used as mulch include leaves, straw, compost, or wood chips. A lot of gardeners also prefer using artificial mulch. 

It’s important to be careful while mulching. A layer of 2 to 4 inches provides the right balance. More mulch than that can prevent the soil from getting water, and it can smother new growth. However, too little mulch might be ineffective in stopping evaporation or preventing the growth of weeds. 

Adding Tuscan Toppings 

A great way to add to the beauty of your garden is to integrate some Tuscan toppings. 

Tuscan toppings are a classic way to add colour and variation to your garden. These crushed stones can be used as part of a pathway or around your flower beds or in several different ways. They don’t just look good, they also help prevent soil erosion and improve water drainage. 

Plant Selection

Let’s discuss, arguably, the most fun aspect of gardening, which is choosing the right plants. 

A lot of gardeners prefer to integrate a mix of plants that complement each other. Remember to keep the climate and soil type of your garden in mind when choosing your plants. Also, since you might be aiming for a flourishing spring garden, you can choose seasonal plants that thrive in spring.  

It’s advisable to use native plants, not only because they’ll be suitable for your geography but also because they attract pollinators that can increase biodiversity over time. 

Watering Plan

Not all plants require the same amount of water. 

It’s good to do some background research on how much you should be watering each type of plant that you have. Also, try to keep a regular watering schedule since spring can still be a dry period for plants. 

Since you’ve probably used mulch, make sure that the water is absorbed by the soil and it can reach the roots of the plants. 

Maintenance Routine

Gardening can be an intensive but deeply rewarding activity. 

Part of being a good gardener is to have a maintenance schedule. It’s good to monitor the progress of your garden at regular intervals. Make time for tasks such as weeding, pruning, pest control, and so on. Regular maintenance ensures that your garden can be at its best and that sudden issues don’t crop up.  

Wrapping Up 

It’s best to start planning your spring garden before the end of winter. 

This helps you get ahead of any issues that might crop up and ensures a smoother gardening experience. Certain tasks need to be done quite timely such as cleaning your garden, preparing your soil, and planting your seeds. 

Finally, remember to keep all the tools that you’ll need at hand so that you’re ready to go.