Post Winter Garden Cleanup
Our lawns and gardens often bear the brunt of a brutal winter season, so they usually need some comforting and TLC when spring arrives. Getting our gardens ready for spring and summer first requires surveying the scenario and assessing any damage. Even the best gardeners suffer damage during the winter. But not to worry, here are a few quick and simple preparation tips that will ensure successful gardening during the warm months ahead.
Determine the damage. Even a mild winter can cause some form of plant damage. Inspect the vegetable and flower beds and any fencing that may need tending to. If you live in an area where it’s common to see wildlife, then having a sturdy fence is important. Deer, rabbits, and other wildlife can take a serious bite out of landscapes and gardens when given the opportunity.
Clear debris. Even if your garden beds and lush landscape suffered no real damage, it can still be cluttered with debris. Remove twigs, branches, leaves, old or dead plants, and any litter that collected in those quiet corners during the winter months. We get really nasty winds here and quite often we’ll have shingles and house siding resting on our lawn.
Spruce up the greenhouse. If you are fortunate enough to have a greenhouse, then spring cleaning is in order. Cleaning a greenhouse prior to spring’s arrival can help gardeners evict any overwintering pests that can compromise the health of a plant. A thorough cleaning, which should include cleaning the glass inside the greenhouse and washing flower pots, trays, hangers, and all garden tools. This action can prevent plant diseases from surviving into spring.
Check for pests. Insects and mites are common landscape and garden pests. But there are many species of insects, so before you go destroying them all, you must discern which ones are in your garden. Many are beneficial and pollinate flowers or prey on pests. A few species damage plants and become pests. Many hibernate in the soil over winter, thus weakening a plant’s foundation. Insects and mites are considered pests when they reach high enough numbers to cause damage. When this occurs steps need to be taken to prevent damage in the future.
Location, location, location. Size up and gauge your plant’s location. If plants, flowers or gardens have been struggling year after year or didn’t grow at all, then some reflection is needed here. Some plants may not be getting enough sunshine in certain areas of your property, while others may be overexposed to the sun during spring and summer. Moving plants that are not thriving prior to the start of spring gardening may be just what the plants need to flourish in the coming weeks.
Spring gardening season is right around the corner, so not is the perfect time to prep our gardens and flower beds for the glorious warm months ahead.