The snow has melted, the average temperature is above 10 degrees Celsius, and the birds are singing; spring is in the air. With the long winter hibernation over, it’s time to kick your body and garden into gear. Gardening is serious business, which means proper planning is essential to top that great garden you had last season! Whether you’re a seasoned veteran, or an amateur gardening enthusiast, the following 5 tips should help anyone have their garden up and running in no time.
1) Planning: As tempting as it may be to jump in and get dirty right away, planning is an essential step to any great garden. What are you looking to plant this year? Do I want to move my garden to another part of the yard? Will my focus be on growing vegetables or simply trying to grow new plants? Make sure to write everything down and follow your goals.
2) Tools need TLC: In the garden, you’re only as good as your tools. There’s no better way to start the gardening season than having your tools re-sharpened and polished. Boiled linseed oil is a great way to treat and protect wood handles. If any tools have moving parts use turpentine and denatured alcohol to get rid of any residue.
3) Clean-up time: One of the most important things you can do for your garden is to tidy up any debris left over from the winter. Clear any leaves, branches, and random debris from your garden beds that could potentially choke out your flowers when they start blooming. Our Less Mess bags are excellent for cleaning up/packaging debris, and we even come and take it away for you! Creating an optimal gardening area will only make things easier for you once the planting begins.
4) Soil prep: After this long winter there will surely be winter weeds poking their heads out of your garden soil, so get rid of them! Don’t wait too long; if you give them the opportunity to grow, they will multiply very quickly (you don’t want that). Once your garden bed is clear, it’s time to start planning your soil. Our Less Mess topsoil and compost are nutrient-rich and excellent at promoting healthy plant growth. Bring life back to an old flowerbed by spreading at least one inch of topsoil on nutrient-deficient soil and mix thoroughly.
5) Get gardening: If you’ve followed the previous four steps, you’re all set to get your garden up and running. If you’re planning a vegetable garden, goodies such as spinach, leeks, onions, and parsley are ready to be planted. No matter what your gardening goals may be this year, putting some time into planning will only make things easier for you down the road. Get out there and get gardening!
For all your premium topsoil, mulch, compost, sand, and stone needs, let Less Mess be your solution.
