Getting the Garden Ready
As winter’s chill begins to wane and the first signs of spring emerge, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get ready for the vibrant burst of life that comes with the new season.
Before any planting can be done, we first need to prepare our garden. Start off with a general tidy-up by collecting all the left-over dead leaves and organic matter. All the organic matter that’s collected can be put into compost and later used as mulch for your plants. However, avoid putting the weeds in with your compost, as the seeds will germinate and cause a lot more problems later on.
If you own a greenhouse, now’s the best time to give it a good clean in preparation for planting. Wash the outside as well as the inside with disinfectant or detergent in order to get rid of the algae, moss, and just general grime. By doing so, you’re getting rid of potential homes for pests and diseases, as well as letting in more light during the growing months. Sweep away any debris and wash the floors with a hot water and detergent solution to get rid of any bacteria, etc. After giving the greenhouse a good clean, let it ventilate for a few days to let it dry thoroughly. After doing so, check for any damage to the glass or vents and do any necessary repairs or replacements.
Hunting down and removing hibernating pests now can prevent a lot of trouble in the future when the weather starts to warm up. Have a look at the crowns of your perennial plants and check for any slugs, snails, and aphid colonies that could be there from winter. If you still have your summer bedding, it’s a perfect time to go looking for white-vine-weevil larvae. They live in the compost and feed on plant roots. If you find any larvae, destroy them.
Regularly cleaning and sharpening your gardening tools leads to a longer lifetime for them and saves quite a lot of money in the long run. Clean garden tools lead to the prevention of the spread of bacteria due to old dirt and grime on freshly pruned wounds. Hot water with strong detergent and a scouring pad is a great way to thoroughly clean your tools.
-Written By: Aiste Stonkute
