Getting Ready For Spring

Garden Tools-I store all my tools in the shed during the winter months. The first thing I do is give them a small inspection to make sure they are all in working order. Sharpen any blades that have become dull and give anything dirty a good cleaning. After this, it is time to bring out the good old wheelbarrow. In my opinion, the wheelbarrow is truly a gardeners best friend. It not only helps me pick up and move debris, but it also helps me transport heavy tools instead of having to lug them around. This is a total life and back saver. My next step is to go around the yard collecting any downed tree branches and twigs. This is not a fun step, but it is a necessary step after the winter snowstorms. You will feel so much better once this step is done!

Rake Garden Beds-Time to grab the rake and start cleaning out those garden beds. Keeping leaves and debris covering your plants over the colder months is always a good idea for protection and insulation. It also provides birds and garden critters with nesting materials. Make sure when you are raking out your garden beds, you do so gently, as not to disturb spring bulbs that may be starting to emerge. While doing this, look for any damage that may have occurred during the winter, so you can tend to that next. I take the leaves and debris collected, and I form a compost pile as well as a burn pile in my backyard. Most towns around here allow you to burn during the early months of the year as long as you have the required permit to do so. Pick a day designated to burning ahead of time and mark your calendar! Pictured is my euonymus shrub before leaf cleanup.

Pruning-Remove all dead or damaged branches from your shrubs and plants. New England is known for it's harsh winters. Most of the time my shrubs really take a beating. Falling ice and snow can really make a mess of a beautiful plant. This year, the shrubs held up well. Last year, a good portion of the azalea bushes were severely damaged by ice. With some extra TLC, and some heavy pruning, it's beginning to look good as new! It is important to read up on certain plants and shrubs before you prune them. I learned this the hard way. Make sure you trim plants during the required season for best growth. Some do best pruned before new growth. Others do better being pruned after new growth has finished blooming. I have really messed up some hydrangeas in the past by pruning them at the wrong time. You live and you learn! Pictured here is my rhododendron bush.