7 Key Spring Gardening Tips
March is not too early for Spring gardening tips. Central Indiana should see the year’s highest temperatures at 70 degrees or above this week. So, yes, Spring is in the air! I don’t know about you, but I’m ready. I’m ready to plant my flower and veggie gardens, crank up the grill, and sit back, looking at the woods while sipping on a cold beverage. How about you? Are you ready for Spring?
Spring Gardening Tips
Start Seeds Indoors
We started some seeds indoors last week. We use small black plastic trays and Burpee Super Growing Pellets. You simply place a pellet in a tray, slowly add warm water (we use a large syringe), and let it sit for a few minutes. After that, loosen the soil a bit and plant your seeds. We have a grow light that stays on throughout the day, and we add water dally, checking it a couple of times a day.
Transplanting
A trick we learned was to gradually acclimate the seedlings to the outdoors by placing them outside for a couple of hours on warm days. Be careful not to stress them with too much direct sunlight. The same is true when transplanting your seedling. Planting them in the evening or on a cloudy day might be best.
Watering
Consistency is key. Water your plants regularly, especially during dry spells. Deep watering or occasionally soaking the ground around your plants can encourage root growth.
More tips for watering your garden
- Water in the morning. Watering in the morning allows plants to dry out during the day, which helps prevent powdery mildew.
- Water deeply. Water until the soil is moist, 5–6 inches deep.
- Water slowly. Watering too quickly can lead to shallow roots.
Mulching
Use organic mulch like straw or wood chips to retain moisture and suppress weeds. We use wood chips. We have a wooded hill at the back of our yard and get a lot of leaves in the fall. In early Spring, I rake the leaves out of the flower and veggie beds, then mow over about half of them with my mulching mower. I blow these back into the beds. It’s a layer of organic matter that suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and enriches the soil as it decomposes.
Weed and Pest Control
The biggest mistake I’ve made in the past was not checking my beds for weeds often enough. The key is to remove weeds early to prevent them from competing with your plants for nutrients. Using weed control alone isn’t enough to control the weeds in your beds. I learned this the hard way when I applied weed control, thinking I was done, only to find my beds taken over by weeds.
It’s the same thing with pests. After properly planting your garden, the most essential thing to do is to keep an eye out for pests.
“Strong, vigorous plantings will always go a long way towards minimizing the importance of pest problems. Such things as proper fertilization, irrigation, spacing, varietal selection, and sunlight are essential. Remember to inspect transplants for insects before purchase.” — Purdue Extension
Fertilization
Use a balanced fertilizer to give your plants the nutrients they need to grow strong.
“Overfertilizing is another mistake that’s easy to make. Heck, just open up the package and scoop some fertilizer on the mounds. But when you pour too much, you risk burning plants and then promoting excessive foliage instead of flowers or fruit. I’ve done this with tomato plants, have you?” – 10 Spring Gardening Mistakes to Avoid.
“The best way to find out what your soil needs to nourish healthy turf is to have it tested. Most soil testing labs recommend that you check the status of your soil every three to five years.” — Purdue Extension — Turf Grass Science.
Have Fun!
Take some time to appreciate your garden. Gardening can be a rewarding hobby. I love to sit in my back yard in my Adirondack chair, sipping lemonade. So, stop, look around, and enjoy the beauty of your plants as they grow! Happy gardening!
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If we can answer any questions about your garden or landscaping, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.
About the Author
Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends, he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook, a crash course in effective management.
Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash
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