NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Spring is in the air. While it’s still too soon to plant, there’s plenty to do, even before the snow has entirely cleared, to get ready for the upcoming growing season.
Before setting foot in the garden, sort through garden tools and other equipment. Make a list of items that need replacement (such as broken tools) or need more of (like plant supports or tomato cages). Clean and sharpen tools so that they’re ready to use when needed.
Take a walk around the yard and garden to check for surprises winter may have left behind. Gather up fallen limbs, along with litter or debris that may have blown in during winter storms, to tidy things up. Broken, damaged, or diseased branches on trees or shrubs should be removed before they cause further damage.
This is a great time to start a compost pile. Whether it is a simple pile in a corner of the yard for vegetative waste from spring cleanup or something tidier like compost bins, select and define an area for composting. Spring cleanup of the remains of last year’s garden, fallen leaves and early sprouting weeds will likely generate plenty of material to compost over the coming weeks. Never add diseased plant material or seed heads from weeds to your compost pile.
After the ground thaws, collect a soil sample and send it for a professional soil test. It’s easy and inexpensive to do. The results will provide valuable information regarding a garden’s soil, including available nutrients and recommendations for soil amendments and fertilizers. See go.uvm.edu/soiltest for more information on obtaining a soil test.
Once the results of a soil test are in hand, obtain any recommended soil amendments. Wait to apply them until excess water in the garden has drained or dried up before digging or turning the soil. Working soil that’s too wet can compact the soil and destroy its structure, making it difficult for plants to grow.
If starting new beds or reclaim an area overrun by weeds, consider smothering weeds using solarization or occultation to make the job easier. This involves trimming back grass or weeds close to the soil surface, then covering the area with a secured tarp.
Refreshing mulch in perennial beds can help reduce germination of weed seeds. It also makes pulling any weeds that do appear easier.
Consider starting a journal to keep track of important dates and observations in the garden, and supplies ordered, as well as planting and harvest information. Details that seem memorable now will fade as the season progresses.
The arrival of spring brings with it all the possibilities of a new year in the garden. Get these tasks done early, to have more time to enjoy the garden.
Deborah Benoit is a UVM Extension Master Gardener from North Adams, Mass., who volunteers as a garden columnist and participates in Bennington County Extension Master Gardener Chapter activities.
Deborah J. Benoit
Deborah Benoit is a UVM Extension Master Gardener who volunteers as a garden columnist and for Bennington County Extension Master Gardener Chapter activities.
