Chicago winters may be cold, but as we enter the spring months warmer and brighter days are in our forecast. We’re not the only ones that enjoy this weather, however. Our gardens and landscapes will greatly benefit from the warmth and sunshine as well. To get your garden ready for spring, check off these preparation tips from your list and see a happier, healthier garden this summer.
Clean Beds
Cleaning your flower and garden beds is one of the most important steps in preparing your garden for spring. Removing dead leaves, grasses, perennials and other plant material from your garden beds will allow new plant life to grow strong and healthy without the concern of distracting debris.
Prune Plants
Another step to kickstart healthy life in your garden is to prune appropriate plantings. If your landscape has ornamental grasses, cutting them down as close to the ground as possible will stimulate healthy growth this spring. For evergreen plant life, be sure to remove winter-injured foliage so that it doesn’t hinder fresh growth. Don’t forget about perennials and flowers either! Make sure to cut perennials back about 4 inches to stimulate strong new stem growth. As for flowers, removing crowded, damaged, or dead stems will allow for beautiful plant life to grow in its place.
Rake your lawn
Lightly raking your lawn will remove dead debris and stimulate grass growth by improving light and air flow. For areas where patches are forming, begin grass reproduction by seeding in the spring while soil is soft and rich with water and minerals. Begin thinking about aerating your lawn as well, to promote healthy grass growth all season long. The process of aerating your lawn involves poking small holes into the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to grass roots. It is best to do so in the spring during growing season, because grass will heal quickly and fill in the openings made during aeration.
Fix fences, trellises, and raised beds
The elements brought on from the winter months have surely taken a toll on the structures put in place in your garden. Get them fixed before spring arrives, as your plant life needs them to prosper. Look out for bowed sides and edges in your raised garden beds. Fixing them now will hold in soil, moisture, and other nutrients your plants will need when they begin to grow. Trellises and fences are also easier to repair in the spring when plant growth isn’t in the way. Broken trellises make it hard for vine plants to grow up. Fixed trellises will create a beautiful plant feature in your garden for the summer.
Fertilize
Applying fertilizer after everything is completely defrosted and before foliage has started to grow will make the most impact on your garden for summer. At this time, fertilizer particles will be taken in by the soil and roots of plant life. In the spring, it is especially important to use liquid feed along with a slow release dry feed because these types of fertilizers will slowly soak into plant materials. During this time, they are developing and allowing them to produce greater, healthier arrangements.
Create a plan
Whether you want to grow fresh fruits and vegetables from your garden or are just looking to enhance your landscape, it is always helpful to have a gardening plan before you get to work. Many plants have companion plants, or ones in which they grow well with. For example, tomatoes grow well next to carrots and cucumbers, but not so well next to corn and potatoes. Similarly, gardenias, which are large flowered and very aromatic plants, grow well next to annuals who have shallow roots like primrose. Knowing what plants work well with each other and planning your garden ahead of time will create a beautiful landscape for your home all season long.
Preparing your garden for spring can be a lot of work and creating the landscape of your dreams takes time and effort. Leave the work to Bruss Landscaping this spring, and enjoy the beauty of your garden all summer long.
Call today to schedule an appointment!
