As winter begins to loosen its grip, February and March are the perfect months to lay the foundation for a flourishing spring garden. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just getting started, here are some tips to help your garden thrive.
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Inspect & Plan
Start by reviewing your garden from last year. What worked well? What didn’t? Use this time to sketch out your garden plan. Think about crop rotation for vegetable gardens, companion planting to maximize growth, or incorporating native plants to support pollinators. What is the condition of your lawn? Do you have bare patches or areas needing overseeing or will you need to control weeds and fortify your existing stand?
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Test Soil
Healthy soil is the backbone of a successful garden. Test your soil’s pH and nutrient levels. The Mill offers soil testing and expert advice to help you interpret the results. The Mill can provide a plan to get your turf or garden areas in the best shape without overapplying fertilizer or chemicals. Start now to adjust your soil’s pH before the prime growing season and nutrients will be utilized more efficiently allowing you to use less while maintaining plant health.
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Start Seeds
By late February or early March, you can start seeds indoors for cool-weather crops like lettuce, spinach, and broccoli. If you’re new to seed-starting, pick-up seeds soil and supplies from The Mill. Starting seeds indoors allows for earlier harvests.
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Prune and Clean Up
Take advantage of this quiet season to prune shrubs, trees, and perennials. Remove any dead or damaged branches but be mindful of flowering plants like forsythia or lilac that set buds in the fall. Clean up garden beds by removing weeds and debris while leaving some natural cover for overwintering insects.
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Pest Management
Be proactive by applying dormant oil sprays to fruit trees or ornamental plants now to eliminate damage from overwintering pests and their eggs.
Gardening is all about preparation, and February and March are prime months to set the stage for success. Visit The Mill for expert advice, quality supplies, and everything you need to grow your best garden yet.
