The days will soon be getting warmer and after a long winter, it will be good to be outside working in the garden again. Here are the top 10 tips from the cleaning professionals at MOLLY MAID for getting your garden into top shape for the spring season.
- Protect new spring shoots from animals and insects.
- Plant shallots, chives and early potatoes.
- Plant summer-blooming bulbs.
- Lift and divide overgrown perennials.
- Top compost containers with fresh compost.
- Mow the lawn on dry days when needed.
- Cut back plants such as dogwood and willows grown from colourful winter stems.
- Remove weeds as they come into growth to avoid overgrowth.
- Begin cleaning and preparing your backyard ponds and fountains.
- Open the greenhouse doors and vents on warm days.
Maintain Your Garden
- Rake leaves and other debris from your garden in the spring. It is easier to do this before your spring bulbs and perennials begin to bloom.
- Remove and clear the previous year's plant foliage from the garden.
- Trim back evergreen perennials like Liriope and Epimedium early in the month before new growth begins. Once the evergreens begin to grow in the spring, it is difficult and time consuming to trim the old foliage.
- Cut back ornamental grasses and other perennials left in the garden throughout the winter.
- Don't forget to clean out your birdhouses before nesting season begins.
Early Spring Trimming
Instead of removing and replacing overgrown plants, try cutting them back while they are still dormant. Trim them until only bare branches remain. You can also cut them to one or two feet above the ground.
Early Spring Trimming for Trees and Shrubs
If your trees and shrubs need thinning, it's okay to trim them in the spring. Be sure to remove any damaged of decaying wood from your plants to encourage growth. When it comes to thinning your shrubs, avoid shearing them until they have fully bloomed. Shrubs such as Buddleia and Caryopteris should not be trimmed until April.
Get a Jump on Pests and Diseases
When evening temperatures are forecast to remain above freezing, be sure to spray your fruit trees, roses, and other ornamental trees and shrubs with Bonide All Seasons Oil. This allows you to get rid of any unwanted pests and insects. If you plants were affected by unwanted pests the year before, be sure to take preventive measures and spray them accordingly.
