Spring Gardens TIPS

Aussie Gardener , blog ... Global Gardens , Spring
Helena
Helena

Spring Gardens theres nothing like them 

There's a lot to love about spring, the scents, the longer daylight hours, the incredible unfurling of buds and vines and the feeling of new hope. There's a light, freshness to spring and spring gardens, that unburdens my mind. During this time of new beginnings, inspiration accompanies the shifting of the seasonal guard, encouraging actions of cleaning up and clearing out.

In like a lion out like a lamb

Spring Gardens can be divided into two parts - early spring and late spring. Starting out when the weather is still crisp, is essential to get the most out of the spring season. Without delving too far into garden design early spring perennial bloomers for your garden zone, should have been planted in the previous Autumn. Bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils and crocus should have been planted then too. Do keep in mind that the ultimate spring gardens always include peonies.

Seeds may be started in or outdoors, depending on the type of seed. There are seeds that in order to germinate need to be sown outside in the colder temperatures of spring. Nursery bought cold weather plants that can take a bit of frost notably, can be safely planted. Newly purchased evergreens can be added to a gardenscape, once the soil is warm enough and workable.

Below, is a short list of spring bloomers, starting with the early spring bloomers and finishing up with the later spring flowers. As already mentioned spring gardens need to be planted and planned in the previously fall. You can buy nursery grown bulbs and plants at their fullest expression, already in full bloom but really where's the fun in that!

SPring gardens flower List

  • Hellabores
  • Glory of the Snow
  • Hyacinth
  • Tulips
  • Daffodils
  • Crocus
  • Pansy
  • Rhododendrons
  • Forsythia
  • Iris
  • Columbine
  • Pussy Willow
  • Bleeding Heart
  • Lily Of the Valley
  • Peonies
  • Roses

 

Spring Gardens Clean Up

Mother nature's plan is much grander than any spring clean up with this in mind, so it's always best to wait a week or two into spring, before cleaning up garden debris. That way any pollinators waking up out of hibernation, hiding under leaves or hanging out under trees, have time to casually jump into action, without having their feathers ruffled to much.

 

Once spring has passed the first few weeks mark, pick up all remaining dead leaves, twigs and garden brown debris. Anything that wont fit in a compost pile, either grind it or cut it up and place around the garden as mulch. If you must throw out any excess into the trash. Once the ground is cleaned up, trim back any dead stems and leaves off perennial plants. Take mental note or jot down any design or plant changes that you want to do. Download a free garden design map guide here.

Spring Gardens check list & Tips

1. For backyard gardens and container gardens, take inventory and plan soil requirements. How much soil, what type of soil, how much compost or natural fertilizers such as worm castings are needed. Is it available to you to buy raw materials and make your own soil mix or mixes?
2. Clean up all debris. Throw out any broken pots and pieces and any furniture, lights, watering cans, hoses or garden mediums that no longer serve you. Check all used buy dates on organic fertilizer packets, seed packets, left over mulch bags and soil bags that are stored away3..
3. Measure your space metrically and mentally. Where can you utilize more ground for more plants or surface area for more pots. Where can you use vertical accents. What colors do you what to incorporate in this years landscape. Did you harvest enough edible and cut flowers last year? If not where and how can you improve on that.
4. Revamp any existing pieces of furniture, pots or ornaments with a coat of paint. Get a little garden mad and take a few risks here.
5. Add an arbor, trellis or pergola, to create a top canopy layer to your garden space. Nothing beats a living natural shade cover.

Tips CONTINUED

6. Trim back trees, creepers or shrubbery to create a different look and open up the sundial.
7. Create a window box or two, adding annual seasonal color and plants to a landscape that is waking up from winter dormancy.

8. Refresh lawns with a good hoe and water frequently if it rains short in the spring. Let the grass grow a little longer before cutting back this will inhibit weeds by blocking the sunlight. Leave clovers and dandelions in lawns for emerging  foraging wildlife after their long winter dormancy. Honey Bees love a good feed on clover flowers.
9. Take a look at photos in garden magazines and add inspirations from these to your garden.

10. Bring out any over wintered plants after the night time weather is warmer than 50 degrees Fahrenheit - 10 degrees Celsius. Remember, the days are warmer and the nights are still cooler in spring. Timing is imperative here.
11. Devote one section of your garden to wildlife. Add a native wildflower patch for Honey Bees, Bumble Bees and Monarch butterflies. Make your own Bumble Bee nest box for emerging Queen Bumble Bees, who are looking for somewhere to call home in early spring. Plant lots of sunflowers for birds or a fennel patch for ladybugs and Swallowtail butterflies.
12. Last but not least, plan your first garden guest of the season and enjoy the initial sensations of Spring.

spring gardens resources

Growing from seed can be so rewarding, especially if you love organic and heirlooms seeds and/or  something different that's not available in stores. I like Johnny Seeds for their select edibles and Baker Creek for their catalog of rare and heirloom seeds.  Furthermore, I highly recommend  Prairie Nursery for all native plants. All of these select growers and distributors offer a money back guarantee along with a great customer service team, available to answer any questions. I do hope this helps you get into the swing of Spring and  as always, Happy Gardening!

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