Preparing your Yard for Spring

Spring is traditionally the time when we all think about our yards coming out in bloom again. It is also the best time to transplant any plants that you want moved. Many gardens are still under snow and frost for January and February, but if you have moved into a new home, you can still make plans and take soil tests, etc.

Kits are available for taking your own soil test, or you can locate a company for the service in the yellow pages, or on the Internet. A soil test will probably save you much more than the money that you spend on getting it done.

This is because you will not be buying unsuitable shrubs or flowers for your soil. Consequently, none of your plants will die on you - theoretically! You can also check to see if your fruit trees need to be pruned before they come into blossom. Some shrubs may also need pruning quickly before they come into bud.

If your perennials are spreading out too far, see if one of your gardening neighbors wants to do a swap. You can also prepare your starter trays, and remind yourself when the last day of frost is usual for your area. Most of these preparations can be done in the six weeks leading up to the first frost free day.

Too much enthusiasm resulting in early 'planting out' usually means lost plants. While it is good to prepare your seed boxes, do not be tempted to plant them too early.

Now is also a good time to repair your garden furniture, and paint it, if needed. Also, you can check if you need any frames for your peas, tomatoes, cucumber, broad beans and any heavy headed flowers. Upright frames stop the bugs eating your harvest and they also mean that you have more space to plant more produce in your garden.

If you need new beds, now is the time to do it. Choose where the bed will be, and decide what shape you would like. Cover the proposed new bed with whole newspapers topped with several inches of compost. This method kills the weeds, and later you can just remove the newspaper and dig in the compost.

If you are planting out bulbs, remember to use some compost to keep the soil drained. If the soil feels really heavy and does not crumble very easily, add some coarse sand to help the drainage. Bulbs will just rot away in wet soil that does not drain.

Some people are unsure which way up to plant bulbs; the roots go down. If no roots are attached then put the flat end facing downwards and the more pointed end facing upwards to the sky. If you simply can't tell, place them in the ground on the side and it'll all work out!

If you didn't have enough shelves in your shed or green house last year, then here is the perfect time to remedy that.

Finally, don't get 'caught in the rush' at the lawnmower repair shop. To ensure that you are not waiting two weeks while your grass is shooting up, drag out the lawnmower now. If you drive it to the repair shop, it will be back in a flash! You can also have the shortest, greenest grass on the block if you tend to it now.