Yes, it’s still freezing cold out and most nights it can seem more like winter has outstayed its welcome and will never leave, but we assure you that Spring is right around the corner and there is no time to prepare like the present! In today’s article, we’ve put together a handy guide that will help you get your vegetable garden ready to go for Spring right now while it is still very much feeling like winter. Here’s how.
Gather Your Tools And Make A List
Since last year, you may have lost or thrown away some of your tools. Before diving headlong into this year’s garden adventures, it helps to take an hour or two to go over your existing tools and take stock of what you have and especially determine what you will need if you have any gaps in your tool inventory or if anything needs to be upgraded or replaced. We recommend starting each year with a fresh set of gardening gloves as your hands are your most important tool. Once you have your list you can replace your gaps as needed.
Out With The Old
Grab your gloves and a sturdy wheelbarrow and head on over to your garden area. You will want to start by using a small shovel or hand rake to clear out all of the dead and rotting plant matter from last year’s garden. Clear out any weeds that may have sprouted late and then died over winter as well. If you haven’t already, you can start a compost pile with the plant matter from last year’s garden, just mind that you don’t use the weeds in your compost pile with the exception of dandelions. If you have an existing compost pile, now is a good time to turn it and get it refreshed for the new year.
Get Your Beds Ready
Now that your planting beds are clear of any leftover plant matter and are thoroughly weeded you can start to maximize your soil’s potential. Fill each bed area with a new generous layer (about three inches high) of new quality gardening soil. There are many varieties to choose from, so pick the one that suits your needs, but one with a good fertilizer added tends to be the best.
Test Your Watering System
A lot of time has passed since your watering system was used last season. If you have an automatic watering system, go ahead and do a few quick test runs to make sure that each line is clear of clogs and that the water is giving your garden the best coverage. If you spot any leaks or plugged lines, now is the time to fix those, rather than on the fly when your newly planted garden is desperate for water!
In Conclusion
This year is a fantastic year to really dedicate yourself to your garden. We have plenty of time right now to prepare in order to ensure that this is the best harvest year yet! Remember, no matter the time of year, there is always something fun to do around Boise and Meridian. I am happy to help with any questions about home and garden, buying, selling, real estate, and beyond! Give me a call today, I’d love to hear from you.