Reviving Your Garden for Spring/Summer

As the winter chill finally lifts and the weather turns warm our thoughts begin to move beyond the four walls of our homes to the yard beyond. For many of us, me included, that means it's time to get gardening! But, before the flowers can sprout and the summer bounty of vegetables can grow in earnest some simple steps have to be made to get your garden prepared. Here are the tips you need to clean up and get ready for a new growing season.

Grab the rake. Even if you spent what seemed like the entire fall raking there are likely still a few leaves that came tumbling down late winter and into your yard. Get them cleaned up off the grass and flower beds to give yourself a clean slate to start with.

Remove the thatch. That straw-like stuff tangled at the roots of your grass after a long, hard winter is called thatch. Until it is raked out anything you put on the lawn (like the fertilizer we are going to get to next) won't get to the soil where it's needed most.

Wake up the lawn. Any local home store will carry a line of fertilizers designed for various times in the year and that will work for the conditions in your area of the country. Grab a bag, spread it evenly over your lawn, and you are well on your way to being the envy of the neighbors.

Plant. Early spring is a great time to put in any new plants like rose bushes, flowering trees, and berries.

Transplant. Do you hate the spot a plant, bush, or tree is located but still want to keep it somewhere in the yard? Early spring is also the time to transplant so now is the time to get moving.

Weeding. Nobody likes it but it's an essential garden job. By removing weeds now you give the plants you want there the best chance to really shine. Be sure to do your weeding by hand so you don't risk hurting delicate root systems.

Annuals. Now is a great time to put in some annuals to add a burst of color to your landscape. Pansies are good choices through the spring and Impatiens really enhance the garden come summer.

Perrenials. Even if it is still too cool to plant the perennials you want to add to the garden spring is the time to research them and plan their spots in your garden. Then come summer you have a plan and can easily set it in motion to get the garden of your dreams.

Mulching. Mulch does two important things. First, it keeps in moisture which helps your flowers beds to really thrive. Second, and almost as important to some gardeners, it really makes the beds look polished and pretty. The color you choose is up to you but now is a great time to spread down a thin layer and really wake up the yard.

Edge it out. The final step to your spring cleaning is getting out the edger. It not only will keep the grass from growing into your flower beds but the crisp line it creates really brings a neat and orderly look that any gardener strives for.

Now that you know where to start it's time to get your hands dirty and get gardening!