Spring arrives slowly on the Prairies, but when it does, it’s the perfect time to take stock of your landscape and set the stage for a healthy, resilient yard. A practical spring checklist helps you tackle key tasks in the right order by saving time, money, and frustration as the growing season unfolds.
• Before the season gets busy, take time to prepare your gardening tools. Clean off any dirt or rust that may have accumulated over the winter. A stiff brush and a quick rinse will do for most tools, while steel wool or sandpaper can help remove stubborn rust. Sharpen blades on pruners, shears, and shovels to make your work easier and reduce strain on plants. Dull tools can tear rather than cut, leaving plants more vulnerable to disease.
Check wooden handles for cracks and lightly sand them if needed. Applying a coat of linseed oil can help preserve the wood and improve grip. For power equipment like lawn mowers, replace or clean air filters, check spark plugs, and ensure blades are sharp and balanced.
Finally, organize your tools so they’re easy to access when needed. A little effort now can save valuable time during the peak of the gardening season.
• Now that you have your tools ready for use, avoid grabbing them just yet. Instead, take a slow walk around your property. Winter can be hard on trees, shrubs, and lawns. Look for broken branches, split bark, and signs of rodent damage at the base of trees. Snow mould may appear as grey or pink patches on lawns, while salt damage often shows up as browning along sidewalks and driveways.
Pay special attention to evergreens. Browning needles on cedars or junipers may indicate winter burn, caused by drying winds and frozen soil. In many cases, plants will recover, so resist the urge to remove them too quickly. Give them a few weeks of warm weather to show signs of new growth.
Spring pruning is essential, but timing is everything. Remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood from all trees and shrubs as soon as you spot it. This improves plant health and reduces the risk of pests and disease.
For most deciduous trees, early spring (before buds fully open) is ideal. However, avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs or forsythia right now, or you’ll remove this year’s blooms. Instead, prune them shortly after flowering.
Fruit trees benefit from early spring pruning to improve air circulation and encourage strong structure. Always use clean, sharp tools and make proper cuts just outside the branch collar.
• Once the snow has melted and the soil has dried slightly, it’s time to tidy up perennial beds. Remove dead plant material, but do so thoughtfully. Many beneficial insects overwinter in stems and leaf litter, so consider leaving some debris until temperatures are consistently warm.
Cut back perennials to a few centimetres above the ground and gently rake out accumulated leaves. This also helps prevent fungal diseases from taking hold.
• Lawns often need a little help after a long winter. Begin by lightly raking to remove thatch and debris, which improves air circulation and allows sunlight to reach new growth.
If you notice compacted soil or thinning patches, consider aerating and overseeding. Early spring is also a good time to apply a slow-release fertilizer, giving your lawn a healthy start without excessive growth.
• Spring is also ideal for improving soil health. Add compost to garden beds to replenish nutrients and improve structure. If water tends to pool in certain areas, now is the time to address drainage issues before heavy spring rains arrive. Consider using raised beds, amended soil with a higher drainage value, or simple grading adjustments, which can make a big difference in preventing root rot and plant stress later in the season.
A well-planned spring cleanup isn’t just about appearance, it’s about setting up your landscape for a productive, successful season. By inspecting for damage, pruning wisely, refreshing soil, and getting your tools in top shape, you’ll be ready to make the most of every warm day ahead.
Every week, Growing Things Outdoors runs online at edmontonjournal.com or, if you prefer an epaper format, epaper.edmontonjournal.com
Learn more by emailing your questions to filipskigerald@gmail.com, reading past columns or my book Just Ask Jerry. You can also follow me on X (Twitter) @justaskjerry01.
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