Key Points:
– To ensure optimal growth, avoid planting too early when temperatures drop below freezing and the soil is still wet.
– Delay pruning, mulching, and moving plants until nighttime temperatures are consistently above freezing to prevent damage.
– Focus on cleaning debris, inspecting plants, preparing garden beds, and planning for the season ahead until it’s safe to start planting.
As spring approaches, it’s essential to resist the temptation to start gardening prematurely. Linda Vater, an expert from the Southern Living® Plant Collection, advises against rushing into planting before the soil is ready and temperatures are stable. She stresses the importance of waiting for the right conditions to avoid harming plant roots and soil structure. According to Kelly Funk, President & CEO of Jackson & Perkins, testing the soil’s readiness by checking its consistency is key before planting.
Once you receive the green light from Mother Nature, Vater suggests starting with broadleaf evergreens like gardenias and hollies. However, there are tasks that should be postponed until the weather warms up. Pruning flowering shrubs too early can disturb their budding process, impacting their bloom display for the season. Similarly, cutting back perennials and grasses prematurely can disrupt the lifecycle of beneficial insects and pollinators that shelter in them during winter.
Avoid mulching too soon as well, as applying mulch before the right time can hinder plant growth. Instead, focus on cleaning up your garden, inspecting plants, preparing beds, and planning for the upcoming season. By following these guidelines, you can ensure a successful and thriving spring garden.
Mulch can help plants retain nutrients, moderate temperature fluctuations, and prevent erosion—among other benefits. However, applying mulch too early may not be beneficial for your plants. According to Funk, mulching too early can trap cold moisture around the roots instead of warming the soil. It is advised to wait until the planting season has arrived before refreshing your mulch.
When planting before the last average frost, it is important to consider the plant’s suitability for your USDA zone. If the plant typically thrives in warmer zones, it is best to wait until the threat of frost has passed before planting, even if the plant is already available in local stores.
If you have overwintered plants that were brought indoors for protection, it is crucial to wait until true spring arrives before reintroducing them to outdoor conditions. This precaution can prevent the loss of tender perennials or shrubs to late-season freezes.
For tasks in the garden that can be done now, experts recommend cleaning up winter debris by removing fallen branches, old mulch, and leaves to prevent diseases and pests. Inspecting the garden and removing dead canes from roses, mulching spring bulbs, and trimming dead growth on hardy perennials are also advised. Additionally, preparing garden beds by checking soil pH, adding compost, and applying fertilizer can help get ready for the upcoming growing season.
Planning ahead is also essential, even if the weather is not suitable for planting. Consider planning and building features like trellises, paths, and retaining walls to satisfy your gardening enthusiasm. Researching new plants for future additions to your garden can be done through catalogs, magazines, and visiting local garden centers, but hold off on purchases until the planting season has fully arrived.
