10 Things You Can Do to Your Garden in Spring

After a long winter, many of us in the Midwest look forward to spring. It’s never too early to begin planning the landscape you’d like to have this summer, either. There are so many ways to add color, texture and visual interest to your property, and many of these things you can do in spring. Redbud Landscape offers tips and inspiration for you to improve your garden this spring. 

Transplant Cool-Seasons Crops

If you began your cool season crops in February, you should transplant them in March or April once the frost risk has ended. For those living in colder areas of the Midwest, you can wait a while before sowing seeds. Sowing in March means your plants will be ready in April or early May to be transplanted. Warm-season crops shouldn’t be started until April at the earliest. 

Don’t Prune Shrubs

Spring-flowering shrubs shouldn’t be pruned since doing so can remove their flower buds. Wait until after they bloom for pruning. 

Get Your Tools Ready for the Season

Now’s the time to repair and clean your tools if you didn’t do so in fall or winter. Use a wire brush and a multi-purpose oil for metal tools like spades, shovels and trowels. Sand and apply linseed oil to tools with wood handles. Remove rust from shears, loppers and pruners and disinfect them using rubbing alcohol to reduce the spread of plant diseases. 

Attend a Lawn and Garden Show

Lawn and garden shows are the perfect sources of inspiration for homeowners. Discover different plants, flowers and landscaping ideas for you to recreate on your own property. 

Divide Perennials

After caring for plants for so many years, it might not be easy to dig them up. But digging up and spacing out the perennials supports their growth in the long run. When perennials are overcrowded, they don’t bloom as well and can even develop diseases. Dig up as many of the roots as possible and replant the divisions accordingly. 

Cut Back Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses resume growing in the spring, so now’s the right time to cut back. Pretty much all types of ornamental grasses can be cut back at this time, and especially summer and fall blooming grasses. 

Plant Roses

Remove winter protection from your roses once you spot new growth. Early spring is the time to plant roses in bare root form. 

Plant Annuals

The fastest way to add blooms to your garden is to plant cool-season annuals. Petunias, calendulas and Argyranthemum are only a few examples of flowers that bring plenty of colors early in the season. Swiss chard, ornamental cabbage and kale are also great options for plants. 

Prepare for Weeds

Weeds can overtake your beautiful property, so be proactive this spring. Stop weeds from germinating by applying a pre-emergent to your lawn, and remove weeds that have already grown either manually by hand or with a safe weed killer. 

Plant for Butterflies

Butterflies need nectar to survive, so planting a variety of plants for them can help support their populations. 

Contact Our Landscapers

Redbud Landscape is ready to help you make your yard beautiful this spring. There are so many ways to enhance your property’s beauty, and we’re ready to help you explore your options. Call today to discuss your vision.