We are just a couple of weeks away from spring flowers, but this means there is probably a lot to get done regarding your garden. Prepping for all of the wonderful things that you can grow in the spring can be taxing, especially if you’re not careful. These ten items will help you to prepare without forcing you to spend a lot of money on the garden or the rest of your home. Best of all, they will get you outside in the fresh air so you can feel your best while doing your part to take care of the planet.
1. Get rid of the Dead
Unfortunately, not all of our plants will make it through the winter. So, before you begin doing anything, you might check to see which plants are alive and well and which need to be removed from the earth. Usually, you can do a wick check for plants that don’t seem to be awakening with the warmer weather. You can also gently tug on the plant, if it feels loose in the soil then there is a good chance that it is no longer living. Other plants, like seasonal flowers, will also need to be removed when the season is over. This will help you find room for your new plants but will help the soil to thrive as well so you have a better chance of growing the things you’d like.
2. Plant Summer Bulbs
Although it’s exciting to think about all of the things that will blossom this spring, you should also take the time to think about all of the wonderful things you’d like to see growing during the summer months. If you love bulbs, then you are definitely going to want to get your summer bulbs planted right away. This will allow the bulbs to be ready to go when the summer months finally arrive. You can find a list of summer bulbs online to choose from, which should save you some money. Getting your bulbs ready now will also ensure you have more time to plan for autumn when summer finally arrives.
3. Start Seedlings
One of the best ways to get ready for spring is to get your seedlings ready to go. All you need for this is small containers filled with soil that you can place seeds in. Simply place the seedlings out in the sun when the weather is at peak warmth or place them under a grow light. This will help them get started without having them freeze while nights are still too cold for proper growth. Your seedlings should be able to take off enough to be planted into the soil as the weather warms, which will help your garden grow faster than you would expect.
4. Mulch
Mulching is a great way to get your soil ready to go for springtime fun. You can purchase mulch at most home improvement, department, or garden stores so you should be able to price around to suit your budget. You can also make your own mulch if you have the right materials on hand. There are a lot of online tutorials to help you out with this, so make sure you do your research if you’d like to save some money on homemade mulch. Once you have your mulch, simply place it in areas you’d like to plant.
5. Set Up Irrigation
Watering plants can be expensive, especially when spring showers are no more, and summer droughts are in full swing. One of the easiest ways to skip out on the high bill is to set up a drip irrigation system. This will actually help to keep items accurately watered, so everything will grow without constant attention. A drip irrigation system actually slowly waters everything so you use less water, which is great for your bills and the environment. You can even set up the irrigation system to work on a timer, so you can know your plants are covered if you go away on a vacation or you simply get too busy. There are many tutorials to get you started on this, so you can get all of the supplies you need and assemble them without having to deal with a headache.
6. Clean Tools
You might not believe it, but cleaning your tools is pretty important when it comes to gardening. If you put your tools up and they’re covered in mud and debris, then there is a good chance that the tool is more likely to rust or even erode. Pulling your tools out of the shed and giving them a good cleaning will help you to keep your tools functioning for some time to come. You might also consider adding oils and sharpening tools that might also need it. This will ensure you’re prepared for everything spring has to offer and won’t have to spend a fortune on new tools for your garden.
7. Clear Gutters
When spring arrives, you can’t expect your gutters to be clean and ready to ditch all of the rainwater that will soon be hitting your roof. Rather, your gutters have been sitting for months holding onto all of the debris that built up over the snowy season. Cleaning your gutters doesn’t have to be a chore. There are actually cleaners you can get to help with the cleaning process as well. Once your gutters are cleared, you shouldn’t have to worry about build-up on your roof, which can actually cost you a small fortune if you’re not careful.
8. Check Roof
Speaking of leaks, another important thing you should do before all of the spring rains arrive is checkout your roof. If your area was hit by snow, then the weight of the snow could have done a number on your roof. On top of that, long periods of exposure to water could have also done damage. There are tips online to help you spot potential problems but if you’re just not sure then you might hire a trusted professional to take a look. Make sure you look at reviews before you hire someone though, as some people will opt to tell you there is a problem in order to coax you to purchase a new roof from them.
9. DIY Patio Furniture
If you love to spend time outdoors, then you are definitely going to want some furniture to help you enjoy your space. There are so many DIY options to choose from that you will definitely get to have a little fun with the projects on hand. One of the easiest ways to make furniture is to use pallets. You can find these in stores. In fact, some stores may even allow you to take them for free as they have no choice but to get rid of them. Combine the pallets together to form a chair and then use outdoor-friendly cushions to finish off the look. You can make these yourself by scotch guarding fabric to ensure the weather doesn’t damage your items. There are so many other options available too, so you will want to look around to find out what works best for your individual needs.
10. Consider Composting
If you tend to spend a lot of money on fertilizer each year, then composting is bound to become your best friend. Composting allows you to take some of your wastes, like fruit peels, and transform them into fertilizer. Not only is this good for the planet, but it will help you feel a lot better about the amount of garbage you produce. Your garden will also thrive, and you won’t have to worry about harsh chemicals that may have been added to the fertilizer.
Preparing your outdoor space for spring is a great way to kick off the season. These tips will allow you to easily find cheap ways to make your home better than ever without forcing you to spend a small fortune. After a little work, you will find you have a space you will actually want to enjoy as the weather becomes warmer.
