Spring Cleaning

It’s almost that time of the year! You know… when your closet is bursting at the seams, the garage looks like an abandoned storage unit, and you don’t even know how many expired cans are in the pantry? That’s right: it’s Spring Cleaning time. Spring cleaning comes around right when we can all use a little refresh (and it’s not just your house that could use some refreshing). Spring is a great time to clean up around your yard and garden in preparation for drier months ahead. Let’s take a look at what steps you can take to do some Spring Cleaning in your garden.

Prepare Your Soil

The first step you want to take in cleaning up your garden is to prepare and test your soil. Inspect the quality of your soil. Is it dry? Sandy? Compact? It’s great to refresh your dirt with a compost or soil conditioner. This will help to loosen it up and add some more organic matter for your plants to feed on. If you wish to test your soil, you can learn about the pH levels and see what nutrients may be lacking. And while you’re digging through the dirt, you may as well do some weeding and clearing of any dead plants and branches around your yard. This alone will refresh your garden and show you what areas may need more attention. 

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Prune & Manicure

Now it’s time for the real cleaning to start. Pruning is a necessary step in garden maintenance that will help promote more growth in your woody plants and keep your property looking manicured! Start with any dead branches. Take note of the branching structures of your trees and shrubs and start by thinning out branches where there may be excessive crowding. This will help promote better airflow and allow the branches more space to fill out. Follow up by trimming back any branches that look overgrown to create the desired shape. Remember to take a step back from the plant you are working on periodically to get a fresh perspective and a better idea of what shape you are trying to achieve.

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Fertilize & Amend

Now that you have tested your soil and know what it could be lacking, apply a fertilizer geared toward the nutrients you are trying to promote. A slow-release fertilizer will keep your plants nourished and encourage healthy growth. Give your plants a little boost before the stress of the hot summer months! Be sure to read the application instructions on the product you are using to ensure proper use. 

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Start Planting

Onto the fun part: picking out new plants for your garden! Take a step back from your garden and take note of any areas that could use more visual interest. Take measurements and plan how many plants you want to purchase before you start shopping. Look for ornamental plants with different textures in foliage and flowers to add a new pop to your garden. Or plant that fruit tree you’ve always wanted in the yard. Once you’ve sourced some new plants for your garden, it’s time to get planting! Be sure to mix in some of that fresh compost and fertilizer to encourage growth, and water in your plants to give them some extra moisture. Continue watering throughout the week while your plants are growing in, and cut back on weekly watering once established.

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Repot Older Plants

While you’re planting out in the garden, it’s also a good time to up-pot any potted plants that may have outgrown their current vessels. Take a look at your houseplants, outdoor potted plants, and any plants that may still be in their nursery pots. If the roots are busting out of their pots or rootbound, it’s definitely time to give your plants a bigger pot. All of your potted plants could benefit from new soil and fertilizer to freshen them up for the season. Freshly potted plants will make your entire home and garden look refreshed!

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Check Your Irrigation

If you have irrigation on your property, it’s always good to inspect your system before the dry season hits. You don’t want to come home to sad, dry plants that were neglected being water because you didn’t realize there was a leak or blockage in your irrigation. Even your hoses should be inspected to make sure everything is in good shape. Avoid that impromptu trip to the hardware store in the middle of a summer dry spell!

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Tidy Up!

The final step of spring cleaning is to, of course, tidy up! Clean up all of the weeds, pruned branches, and any other green waste left behind from your gardening. Clean and organize your tools and find a place to store your gardening supplies and any old pots you can re-use. Or if you’re looking to clean out your old nursery pots, return them to us here at Seascapes! We re-use and recycle used plastic pots. Store leftover potting soil and fertilizer in a secure, dry place for next time. A tidy space makes it more appealing to get work done!

Happy Spring Cleaning!