5 Spring Gardening Chores To Start Now

Wondering what to do in the garden in spring to get it ready for planting?  Following a spring gardening checklist will make it more likely that your summer harvest will be bountiful!

From buying  the right garden tools to amending your soil, tackle those spring gardening chores now, before the weather gets too hot!

When do you plant a spring garden?

We are already at the end of April and here in Georgia, spring is well on it’s way. Of course, depending on where you live, you may just now be getting out into the garden to start your spring garden chores.

As a general rule, you should plant frost tolerant greens and cole crops a few weeks before your final frost. Plants that are sensitive to the cold like tomatoes and basil, should be planted a couple weeks after your last frost date.  Check out the Farmer’s Almanac planting calendar for exact dates in your area. 

The work you do BEFORE summer gets here, could ensure your garden’s success this season. Planning ahead, being patient, and keeping a watchful eye out will help ensure that you have a wonderful harvest come July!

Spring Garden Chores Checklist

Here are just a few of the spring garden chores that you should tackle  to ensure that you have plenty of produce to harvest this summer. Check out my garden markers craft to keep track of all the plants you are putting in!

Clear out debris 

Tackle those old plants you never got around to pulling out. Remove pine cones and sticks that may have fallen during the winter. Read my post on creative ways to use pine cones if you have a lot of them.

Make sure no stray rocks have turned up that will get in the way during planting. You can get a long handled steel tiller to make the job easier.

Fix broken garden beds 

Whether you are replacing rotten wood or rebuilding rock walls, things have a tendency to shift during the winter.

Make sure you get a strong foundation for your garden bed before adding new soil. Check out the premade raised garden beds if you are starting from scratch.

Till and amend the soil

You don’t have to till the soil deeply…there is actually some debate as to whether that is actually beneficial to soil health. Just turn it over a little bit as you add new compost or manure to your garden.

Preparing the garden soil is probably one of the most important spring garden chores since it will have a direct impact on the health of your plants. Invest in your own backyard compost bin to save money on compost.

What should I amend my garden soil with? Here are a few ideas:

• Composted plant materials such as vegetable scraps and lawn clippings
• Aged manure: (not fresh!)
• Coconut coir:  a more sustainable material than traditional peat moss
• Cover crops (plan ahead for fall and let these overwinter)

Inspect your garden tools

Make sure your tools aren’t rusty, your hose doesn’t have holes and your basket handles are firmly attached to your basket. Having your produce fall all over the ground because the basket breaks is not fun. Check out my list of essential gardening supplies and make sure you have everything on hand.

If you have tried gardening and had problems with plant diseases, you may want to thoroughly wash your garden tools to prevent recontaminating  this years garden.

Plant seeds and seedlings once threat of frost is over

Once you have your spring garden chores finished, you can go ahead and plant your seeds. Make sure you read the package directions for exact timing, placement, and growing needs since all plants are different. Check out my seed starting tips for a few ideas on how to get started.

More Spring Gardening Tips

Looking for more spring gardening ideas?  Here are a few posts you should read!

• Best natural week control methods: Here are few natural weed control methods that you might want to consider.
• Boosting your spring garden yield:  Here are a few tips to get you on the path to a productive spring garden.
• How to keep animals out of the garden: Check out these natural ways to keep animals out of the garden and away from your summer produce.

Planting a garden makes dinner time simpler because it is a ready source of fresh food, right in your own back yard.  Have you started on your spring garden chores yet?