A little early planning and soil work can make a big difference once planting begins.
By Mary Jane Martin February 27, 2026 1:33 pm
HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — As we look ahead to winter loosening its grip and the first signs of spring appearing, now is the ideal time to prepare your garden for the growing season ahead.
A little early planning and soil work can make a big difference once planting begins, setting the stage for healthier plants, stronger yields, and fewer problems later in the season. Whether you’re tending a small backyard plot or a larger garden, spring preparation is the first step toward success.
1. Clear beds with purpose
Pull last year’s dead veggie plants (tomatoes, squash, beans).
Leave roots in place if soil is frozen — they add organic matter.
Remove diseased debris completely (don’t compost it).
Mulch empty beds to protect soil structure.
2. Feed the Soil
Spread 1–2 inches of compost on every bed.
If soil is tight clay, add:
shredded leaves
composted manure
worm castings
Lightly fork it in on thawed days — no deep tilling.
Healthy soil now = fewer pests + better yields later.
3. Get beds ready for early crops
Even though you’re not planting yet:
Shape rows and beds.
Install hoops or cold frames now.
Lay down black landscape fabric or cardboard where you’ll plant warm-season crops later (heats soil faster).
This shaves 2–3 weeks off spring waiting.
4. Start the right seeds indoors
Start late Feb / early Feb indoors:
Onions (from seed)
Leeks
Celery
Peppers (slow growers)
Do NOT start yet:
Tomatoes (late Feb / early March)
Squash, cucumbers, beans (direct sow later)
5. Prune and prep perennials carefully
Raspberries/blackberries: Remove dead canes now.
Asparagus: Clean up old stalks if you didn’t in fall.
Strawberries: Leave leaves; add straw if crowns are exposed.
Skip pruning fruit trees until late Feb / early March.
6. Plan your vegetable calendar
Late Feb–March (with protection):
Peas
Spinach
Lettuce
Radishes
Kale
Mid–Late April (after frost risk):
Potatoes
Onions (sets)
Broccoli
Cabbage
Mid–May (safe for the Valley):
Tomatoes
Peppers
Beans
Squash
Cucumbers
7. Common Veggie Garden Mistakes Right Now
Planting too early = stunted growth (cold soil matters more than air temp).
Over-tilling wet soil = compaction all season.
Ignoring crop rotation (hello disease + bugs).
The next steps:
Heading to Heritage Acres Greenhouse in Weyers Cave in April to get your plants, flowers, and gifts.
Contact them at 540-810-4602 or visit their website.
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