Here at the farm, the cherry and apricot trees are in full flower, and the Horse chestnut buds are beginning to swell. With many signs of Spring is on the way, there is no better time than now to start planning a few ‘Spring Jobs’ in the garden.
Start preparing your soil for future plantings. Usually, every six months, I like to rejuvenate the soil by adding organic compost into soil. If adding it to pre-existing garden beds, make sure to spread it evenly. Then using a rake or fork, work the compost gently into the top layer of soil. For new garden beds, using compost and well-aged animal manure will do wonders for the soil.
Plant Potatoes – Depending on your climate, seed potatoes can be planted now. Make sure to grow them in a spot where you can continue adding compost, mulch, and soil during their growing season. Doing this will allow you to get the maximum crop possible.
Start sowing! – New-season crops can now be sown into seedling trays or biodegradable pots. If you prefer sowing directly, waiting until late August is preferable because the soil temperatures are higher, resulting in a higher germination rate.
Start planting new perennial borders – Spring is one of the best seasons to start planting new plants into the garden. After planting, make sure to give plants a deep watering (5-minute soaking) to help settle the roots. Most plants will take 12 months to settle from when they were first planted. Keeping a watchful eye on them throughout the Summer for watering is key to their success.
Until next time happy gardening!
By Bonnie-Marie Hibbs
©BMHPhotographyTheGardener’sNotebook2021
