How to Prep Flower Beds for Spring

As temperatures warm up, it’s time to start thinking about spring planting. Taking a few steps can help you prepare your garden so the summer growing season will be easier.

Get Your Tools in Order

The right tools will make garden prep much more manageable! Essential garden tools include shovels, spades, forks, pruning shears, loppers, rakes, hoes, and gloves. Sharpen blades and inspect existing tools to ensure there is no damage. Take this opportunity to replenish supplies. Make sure you have enough soil, compost, and fertilizer available. Replenish plant supports and deer fencing if needed. Inspect existing tools to ensure there is no damage so that you are ready when the growing season begins.

Clear Out

Spring is a great time to start cutting back any dead plants you left in place over the winter. For new growth coming up in the ground, cut leftover dead plants as low as you can, making it easier for new plants to grow. If old growth has flopped over, tug at it; if it comes out easily, pull out as much as possible without damaging any new development. Before digging, make sure the soil isn’t frozen or soggy. This will allow for more workable soil when the temperatures go up. Woody perennials should be pruned just above new growth in the Spring since they produce fresh blooms from existing branches. Other evergreen perennials keep their foliage throughout winter, so cut any damaged leaves or limbs. Other perennials, such as hostas, tend to crowd each other and divide these plants in early Spring. After trimming and pruning, gently rake any remaining debris from garden beds. If weeds have sprouted, now is the time to remove them.

Soil and Compost

Once removing debris, work on turning the soil. Gardeners recommend tuning the earth to a depth of twelve inches when the soil is moist but not wet. Next, add compost to feed your garden throughout the season. Don’t have a compost pile? Try peat moss. Peat moss is an organic material that provides similar qualities to compost — it helps improve water retention and lightens dense soil. Gardeners suggest adding 2-3 inches of compost and turning it into your flower bed.

Fertilize and Mulch

Now it’s time to apply granular fertilizer, if needed, preferably on a day or two before the rain. Rain helps to break the fertilizer down as it releases into the soil. Many experienced flower gardeners recommend using a balanced fertilizer: one containing equal percentages of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, such as a 10-10-10 blend. The first number is nitrogen, the second number is phosphorus (phosphate), and the last number is potassium (potash). All three ingredients are essential to the happiness of your plants. Try not to contact any plant growth directly to keep leaves from burning. (A soil test is the best way to learn the specific fertilizer needs for your soil. Tip: You can take a soil sample and send it to the Virginia Tech Soil Testing Lab for analysis; specific instructions are provided at https://www.soiltest.vt.edu)./ Use a handheld or conventional spreader to spread the fertilizer.

Mulching is next, but we suggest you wait until after planting. Mulch helps retain moisture and prevents weed growth, thus enhancing soil conditions. There are many types of mulch available, both organic and inorganic. Organic mulches include formerly living materials such as chopped leaves, compost, wood chips, and shredded bark. Inorganic mulches typically include recycled plastics, rubber, stone, and lava rock.

The mulch you select depends on your preference and style tastes. Organic mulches are typically less expensive and better used in flower beds and vegetable gardens. In contrast, inorganic mulches don’t break down as easily, prevent weed growth, and look great in larger landscaping projects. Be careful not to over-mulch. Most professionals recommend a depth of 2-4 inches. Mulch that is too deep can cause excess moisture and attract insects and rodents. At Cardinal Home Center, we carry bagged mulch at both our Madison and Crozet stores, or you can buy it in bulk in Madison.

Start Collecting Rainwater

Rain barrels are the simplest and most affordable way to collect rainwater. The most common method to collect rainwater is off your home’s roof, adding a downspout to your existing gutter. Make sure to keep the rain barrel covered to keep debris and pets outs. The rain barrel typically has a fixture where a hose attaches for watering. Rainwater is better for your plants, conserves water, and saves money.

Have questions? Feel free to reach out and let us know what’s going on in your garden. Visit one of our two Cardinal Home Center locations with garden products for assistance, or learn more on our Lawn and Garden page.