Spring comes in increments – each little note building up to a symphony. We bystanders are delighted by the show and feel ourselves come alive in this most resplendent of seasons. Birdsong and tiny flowers envelop us, brooks gush, buds swell, drawing us into this magnificent and mysterious rebirth.
Are you ready? Then roll up your sleeves, pull on your garden clogs and get ready to review the remains of last year’s garden. Do not be too dismayed at the frayed looks – even if you did a thorough fall cleanup, the winter has left its mark. It is a daunting task, yet we take delight in the adventure. Before long, you will see a magical transition made by your own working hands.
Where to begin? We know the script by now, having many springs before now. It starts with an earnest desire to create and a strong-working body that will get things going. And also knowing what the end result will look like. It may not always turn out exactly as you envision, but no matter – look at it as an adventure, an opportunity for personal growth and invention. Here are some ideas to help you begin:
1. If you are starting out, create your new garden on paper with your own unique tastes and uplifting elements. Get to work digging the site and loosen the soil, careful not to over-till it, but allowing nutrients and oxygen in.
2. Smooth out the battle scars of winter – withered leaves, twigs and branches, displaced pebbles and shells and uneven soil. Perfunctory tasks like these allow a preview of the show underway – buds and shoots marching toward the light. Pretty soon your labors will have you limbering up in sync with nature. I had one close call though while removing leaves. A bunny’s nest. I quickly piled the leaves back, thinking of their future bouncing shapes across the landscape.
3. Think like a plant. If you are placing orders for plants online, remember to schedule the delivery for when the ground is warmer (above 40 degrees) and drier. A big mistake is planting in cold, muddy soil. Shoot for early May, which will give you time to do the prep work and read up on your forthcoming acquisitions.
4. To safeguard your seedlings during the inconsistent spring night temperatures, invest in a cold frame. You can also use a garden cloche or an overturned bucket or pot to cover seedlings.
5. Pruners and other gardening tools need to be sharpened and smoothed if you did not do it over winter. Old deciduous hedges should be hard pruned in spring where necessary and then fed well to encourage new growth. Keep off the spring-blooming trees – but prune roses when they bud out. It’s a good time to cut back fruit trees if you have not done so yet. Look for signs of frost damage – but don’t eject a plant that appears to be dead. It may revive in early summer and can be trimmed of any deadwood.
6. Admittedly not the most exciting task, it’s time to turn the compost pile and burn the sticks and brush. Use dry fresh compost and seasoned manure to top dress your gardens. Not necessary to dig it in, as you’ll disturb precious ecosystems. Nutrients added from the top will work their way down.
7. Feel the magic – plant some seeds. Use peat pots or egg cartons – that way you can install them directly into the ground when ready. Try something new like watercress – rich in antioxidants and more vitamin C and K than most vegetables and fruits. Popular in Victorian sandwiches, cress is among the lush greens available for salads, soups, sandwiches and stir-fries. Try out a fun flower like the easy-to-grow Mexican heirloom vine Cobaea scandens (aka Cathedral Bells) or violet-blue flowered Heliotropium arborescens (Marine Heliotrope) with its heady vanilla fragrance.
8. Early spring is the best time to repair trellises and fences before vines and shrubs start leafing out. Amendments should be done now to pergolas, gazebos, balconies, patios and chicken coops where it applies.
9. When the garden finally defrosts and the soil crumbles it’s time to plant early spring vegetables. Normally I plant peas on St. Patrick’s Day, but this year hasn’t been typical. It’s not advisable to plant in wet, compacted soil, as the reduced aeration will hinder. But soon I will put in some peas, spinach, lettuce and leeks.
10. One must-do on my spring list is inventorying the contents of my shed and greenhouse. Time to pare down. Prepare the beehives and toss dysfunctional equipment. In the short window that is the growing season, we all need to keep organized. More time to smell the roses.
“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!'” – Robin Williams