With spring fast approaching, it’s time to consider rejuvenating your garden after the winter months. Your outdoor space may need a little TLC following the harsh weather conditions. While some plants can naturally recover, others might need a helping hand. Here, we’ve gathered advice from gardening and landscaping specialists to assist you in revitalizing your garden post-winter.
Meet Our Experts:
– Lucy Bellamy, author of A Year in Bloom: Flowering Bulbs for Every Season
– Emma Martone, grounds curator at High Point University in North Carolina
– Laura Janney, expert gardener and founder of The Inspired Garden
Tidy Up Flower Beds
Before the spring season arrives, make sure to clear out any debris like fallen leaves, twigs, and branches from your flower beds. This allows your spring flowers to thrive without obstruction. “Give your plants room to grow, especially at the start of the year when the color tends to be more compact,” advises gardening expert Lucy Bellamy. Prepare the flower beds in advance to ensure a fresh start for snowdrops, daffodils, and tulips.
Preserve Fallen Leaves
Contrary to popular belief, leaving some fallen leaves in your garden can benefit insects and invertebrates during the winter months. “Many beneficial insects, such as native bees and butterflies, seek refuge in fallen leaves and perennial stems,” notes Emma Martone from High Point University. Prioritize cleaning up visible areas, while allowing less visible spots to be a haven for nature.
Apply Mulch Around Bulbs
Once your spring bulbs begin to emerge, consider mulching around them to retain soil moisture. “Add mulch when the spring bulbs start sprouting,” advises Laura Janney from The Inspired Garden. Apply 2 to 4 inches of natural mulch for optimal results, ensuring you strike the right balance to avoid fungal growth or root rot. Avoid dyed mulches that may contain harmful toxins.
Provide Homes for Butterflies and Birds
Invite essential pollinators into your garden by installing houses for birds and butterflies. These creatures play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy garden ecosystem. Birds can help control unwanted insects, while butterflies aid in pollination. Understanding the needs of these creatures can guide your gardening practices towards creating thriving and diverse spaces, as suggested by Martone.
Trim Garden Shrubs
Pruning your garden shrubs not only encourages growth but also helps prevent diseases. Tailoring the shape and size of your plants through pruning can enhance the visual appeal of your landscape. Research the shrubs in your garden to determine if they benefit from pruning in late winter or early spring. Remember to use sharp tools and cut at a 45-degree angle away from the plant for optimal results, as recommended by Janney.
Here are the rewritten text: Prune and never cut more than one-third of a shrub, as it can cause stress and damage to the plant. Aerate Your Lawn Aerating your lawn improves soil chemistry and texture. “Aeration loosens the soil and reduces compaction, making it easier for roots to grow and allowing air and water to penetrate the soil,” Martone says. Aerating your soil in late winter or early spring is a great way to help revive your garden and green spaces, especially after heavy snowfalls may have compacted your soil. “Roots need oxygen, and without oxygen in the soil, roots suffer,” she says. Oxygen is also essential to microorganisms and insects in the soil, which contribute to soil health. Remove Weeds Some prolific weeds, including bittercress, chickweed, deadnettle, and groundsel, can wreak havoc on your garden during winter. Prevent these weeds from taking nutrients from desirable garden plants by removing them as soon as the snow melts. Related: 8 Common Winter Weeds—and How to Get Rid of Them, According to Gardening Experts Plant After the Last Frost Early spring is a great time to plant new vegetables and flowers. “However, it’s important not to jump the gun,” Martone warns. Surprise late spring frosts can kill burgeoning frost-sensitive plants. Check seed packets before planting, which will tell you when to sow the seeds based on your area’s last frost date. “Planting accordingly will help you not fall victim to a string of unseasonably warm days that tempt you into the garden,” says Martone. Related: 14 Flowers to Plant in Early Spring for Colorful Blooms All Season Long Read the original article on Martha Stewart
