Gorgeous gardens don't just happen—they're achieved with pre-planning and prep that happens now rather than when the season is upon us. Getting organized now means you can successfully get growing later. Here's how.
Clear Out
Don't limit your spring cleaning to inside the home; it's time to let your yard breathe again by clearing out all of the leaves and weeds from last season. Next, take a garden rake and loosen up any mulch—just hold off on adding any more until at least mid-April, as the ground will still be damp from winter.
Aerate
Yards are often packed hard under our feet, so a little aeration will be a welcome relief to your lawn. A manual aerating tool may work for smaller yards, or you can rent a power aerator for larger spaces. Afterwards, rake away the plugs or wait for them to dissolve naturally.
Ready the Tools
Get the shed ready by checking your tools and accessing whether you need to purchase any new equipment for the impending season. Mechanical tools such as a lawn mower should be taken for an annual tune-up and blade sharpening, while outdoor fixtures such as feeders and weather guards can be cleaned with a bleach solution and left out to dry in the sun.
Soil Care
Get your soil ready for planting by testing it with a Soil Testing Kit for its acidity and any nutrient deficiencies. Pick a fertilizer based on the results and your type of grass to make your soil healthy and stable.
Purchase Raised Beds
Toiling away on your hands and knees could be a thing of the past if you opt for raised beds this season. It means you can trade your tiller for a trowel and reap the fruits of your labor sooner with soil that heats up quicker in spring. Start shopping for fully constructed raised beds or aluminum corners kits, which allow you the chance to customize with your own lumber.
Spring Seeding
Take care of those unsightly bald spots in the lawn with a generous handful of grass seed. Mix the grass seed with new soil and follow-up with regular deep waterings, which encourage roots to grow deeper.
Planting & Planning
Your perfect garden won't come to being without a little research about what seeds, bulbs and starter plants thrive in your regional “zone.” There are a range of plants that love our Lehigh Valley climate, so check out varieties that fit with your personal style.
Flighty Friends
Add some life and color to your lawn after its long winter nap by making your yard more bird-friendly. Fill a new feeding station with foods containing bugs and fruits or add a birdbath to ease the birds' transition to the warmer weather ahead.
