3 Timely Garden Tasks To Do Now Before Spring Arrives

Spring is just around the corner – early-bird daffodils or crocuses might even be poking up out of the ground – but it’s still a bit too early (and cold) to get your hands firmly back in the dirt.

Depending on where you live and the weather, spring might feel like it’s arrived, or it might be a bit of a tease, with warmer days followed by a snap freeze.

While you should wait to put plants in the ground until temperatures are consistently warmer (at least 10°C) and there is little chance of a freeze, there are plenty of things you can do to get your outdoor spaces ready in the meantime.

Garden and lifestyle expert Carmen Johnston, owner of Carmen Johnston Gardens, shares ways you can start cleaning up your garden now in preparation for spring.

“After the winter – especially if you live in a place with a cold season that brings heavy wind, rains, or snow – your garden will demand some extra attention, show it some pre-planting TLC,” she says.

Remove garden debris

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Take a walk around your property and tidy things up. Gather fallen sticks, branches and pinecones, rake up dead leaves, remove dead plants (use the scratch test to see if the plant is truly dead), and remove any other debris that has accumulated over the winter. Don’t forget your containers and window boxes.

Prune trees and shrubs

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Johnston says now is the time to cut back trees and shrubs like roses and limelight hydrangeas. Avoid pruning plants that flower in the springtime.

“My basic rule of thumb is that if a plant flowers before mid-June, you should prune it after spring and after it flowers,” she says. You can also trim dead leaves and stems from perennials to encourage new growth.

Prepare garden beds

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Soil can turn hard and compact after a season of cold weather, which makes it harder to place new plants in the ground. Prep your garden beds for new planting by turning over the dirt and loosening it up.

Then, it’s time to add nutrients to boost spring growth. “Fertilise everything from curb to foundation, including your lawn, shrubs and trees,” Johnston says. But before you do that, it’s worth finding out the pH and nutrient levels of your soil so that you can fertilise properly. “I recommend having a soil test to assess your gardens nutrient needs.” she says. The RHS offers this service. Also, if you compost, now is a great time to add some to your garden beds.

By the time you’re ready to add new plants to your landscape, you’ll thank yourself for planning ahead and getting a fresh start for spring.

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Lisa Cericola is a writer and editor who specializes in travel, food, and culture. A South Florida native, Lisa lived in New York City for 15 years and now resides in beautiful Birmingham, Alabama. She has been an editor at Southern Living and Food Network Magazine and writes for numerous publications including Garden & Gun and USA Today. When she’s not working on a story, or planning her next trip, Lisa is likely selling small-batch olive oil granola at her local farmers’ market.