Spring has sprung! If you haven’t already, it’s the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and get your garden ready for a blooming season! Looking for some professional advice on what you can and cannot do in the spring? The Toronto Botanical Garden website is a fantastic resource with lots of horticultural tips.
Clean Up and Prep
- The TBG recommends a thorough cleaning as the first step. Remove dead leaves, debris, and any leftover winter mulch from your garden beds. This allows sunlight and water to reach the soil, promoting healthy growth come spring.
- Gently prune dead or overgrown branches from your shrubs and perennials. This encourages new growth and improves the overall look of your garden.
- Once the ground thaws and becomes workable, consider adding a layer of fresh compost to enrich the soil. This provides essential nutrients for your plants to thrive throughout the growing season.
- If your green thumb is itching to get going, prepping and cleaning your outdoor containers is a good start. Our blog, Prepping Outdoor Containers for Spring, has all an easy step-by-step guide.
Planting Power
- It’s a Canadian tradition to wait until the Victoria Day long weekend in May to start planting in our gardens. TBG advises waiting until after this date to plant frost-sensitive vegetables and flowers. This ensures they’ll survive the colder nights and flourish when warmer temperatures arrive. But, it’s best to know your province’s hardiness zone , you may be earlier or later.
- Don’t have a lot of outdoor space? No problem! The TBG suggests container gardening. Herbs, tomatoes, peppers and many flowers thrive in pots on balconies and patios. This allows you to create a mini garden oasis even in an urban environment.
- Spring is a great time to plant bare-root trees and shrubs. These are typically sold while dormant and offer cost-effective options for adding variety to your garden.
Pro Gardener Bonus Tips from the TBG
- Applying a fresh layer of mulch around your plants helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Choose organic mulch like shredded bark or wood chips for optimal results.
- Water Wisely! Newly planted flowers and vegetables need constant watering, especially during dry periods. Aim for deep watering at the base of the plant, rather than frequent shallow watering, to encourage strong root development.
- Planting pollinator-friendly flowers like lavender, echinacea, and bee balm will attract helpful insects like bees and butterflies to your garden. This not only benefits your plants but creates a vibrant and healthy ecosystem.
Remember, MOLLY MAID Canada is here to help you keep your indoor space sparkling clean, so you can spend more time enjoying the beauty of your outdoor haven. Let’s get your home and garden ready for a blooming season!
