Preparing for the Spring: What can be done in the Garden and the Landscape Right Now
One cannot deny the fact that spring happens to be the ideal season for inspiring us to get out in the backyard. Nevertheless, weekend warriors and savvy gardeners have been working tirelessly for quite a few weeks. That time following winter fading away and prior to the season when the weather will be free from frost, it will be one of the best preparation times during the year for any landscape or garden.
In this article, the author has asserted that he usually remains busy with several simple yet essential projects around his residence that help to make a perceptible difference for the remaining part of the season as well as beyond. In the following paragraphs, he has thrown light on certain projects which happen to be just a few tasks that play an important role in keeping him active as well as outdoors on the early-spring weekends.
Trimming tree branches
Although it might not be realized by you, on most occasions, the best-looking trees receive a great deal of attention throughout the dormant months. The primary reason why the period between late winter and early spring happens to be a fantastic time for annual pruning is the fact that it will be possible for you to still see clearly into the canopy of trees – before it begins to leaf out making access much more difficult in the long run. A lot of difference can be made in the general appearance as well as the overall health of any tree by making sure that the canopy does not become too much crowded, getting rid of dead, crossing, or diseased branches, as well as thinning out inward for competing bring branches.
It might be imperative to hire the services of a Certified Arborist; however, there is no doubt about the fact that it will definitely be worth the cost. We all are fond of our trees, and the bigger specimens happen to be irreplaceable. It will be a sensible idea to shell out some cash right now for maintaining the health of your trees and also making them appear great. For the smaller trees, the majority of the property owners will be using pruning saws as well as pole pruners in addition to a decent ladder which will surely help to get the job done without any problem at all.
Prepping garden beds
The author does not miss any opportunity for prepping beds between the seasons of his cool season harvests coming out and his warm season benchmarks going in. It will be extremely easy to access the empty beds without any challenge or risk of working around plus causing damage to the plants which are nevertheless in the ground.
It is of prime importance to work for improving the soil right now. The majority of the nutritional elements which were present in the soil since it was amended by you the last time have possibly gone by now, having been absorbed by the previous vegetation or leached away or decomposed. Even the finest variety of soil which is loaded with organic matter should be having a constant supply of fresh inputs several times of the year for replenishing anything that has been reduced or removed. Those nutrients will not be simply showing up within a closed environment such as a garden bed which is elevated. It will be imperative to put them back. The good thing is that you can easily perform it with the help of a one or 2-inch layer of compost which has been worked into the top 6 inches. Rotted leaves, shredded leaves, or even composted wood chips will be working properly as well.
It will also be a sensible idea to provide an additional boost of an organic type of slow-release nitrogen, such as Milorganite. Blood meal happens to be one more source of granular nitrogen. The granular form is preferred since it is able to stay in the soil without leaching whatsoever; as a result, it is going to work during the entire season. The organic modifications will be fantastic for building the soil and improving the structure whilst the nitrogen will be vital for fresh and developing plants. Moreover, non-burning nitrogen sources such as the one mentioned above imply that there is no need to be concerned about causing any harm to the delicate new and developing vegetation (as it is usually the case with options which are synthetic in nature).
Fertilizing shrubs and trees
Similar to the fresh bedding plants which are in the need of soil rich in nutrients for survival, established shrubs, as well as trees likewise, derive lots of benefits from a dressing of natural and organic nutrients. While you happen to be in the fertilizer mode, make sure to make the rounds and a substantial quantity of organic fertilizer should be applied to the root areas. Demands are going to be high given that fresh growth is going to come on. Making use of early spring for putting back the nutrients into the soil on time for the challenges posed by the new season and the scorching summer is going to pay rich dividends to the vigor and sustainability of the trees and plants as well as the overall landscape.
Weeding now for working less later
Being an organic gardener, the author of this post likes to perform most of the weeding manually. He has been able to realize over the years that in case it is feasible to catch the weeds during the early part of the season, one will encounter fewer issues afterward. By commencing in the early part of spring, it is going to reduce the possibility of the weeds going to seed and become quite difficult to manage when summer finally arrives. The author likes to keep a weeding knife in his pruning holster, and it will be by his side while he is working in the garden. In case you have the proper tool available to you, it is going to make your time spent in the garden much more relaxing in the long run.
