5 Essential Steps to Prep Your Garden for a Beautiful Spring Season!

As the winter months begin to fade away, gardeners everywhere start to feel the stirrings of excitement for the upcoming planting season. However, before diving headfirst into sowing seeds and tending to new growth, it's essential to prepare your garden properly. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to get your garden ready for the new season, from clearing out debris to starting seedlings indoors.

1. Clearing Out Your Garden Space: February marks the perfect time to clear out your garden from the remnants of the previous year's growth. Begin by removing dead plants, weeds, and any debris that may have accumulated over the winter months. This not only tidies up your garden space but also helps prevent pests and diseases from taking hold as the weather warms up.

2. Tending to Growing Garlic: If you've planted garlic in your garden, February is the time to tend to it. Remove any weeds that may be competing for space around the garlic plants. Aim to weed on sunny days when the soil is dry, making it easier to uproot unwanted growth without disturbing the garlic bulbs. This ensures that your garlic crop receives the nutrients and space it needs to thrive.

3. Utilizing Food Compost: Throughout the winter months, continue adding food compost to your garden. Items like eggshells, banana peels, and leftover greens can be buried deep to enrich the soil and contribute to the composting process. Not only does this practice help reduce kitchen waste, but it also nourishes your garden soil, setting the stage for healthy plant growth in the months ahead.

4. Starting Seedlings: February is the perfect time to start seedlings, especially for crops like lettuce and peppers. Begin by planting lettuce seedlings 2 inches in the ground and cover them with glass jars (place the jar upside down over each plant). These jars serve as makeshift mini-greenhouses, providing the warmth and humidity needed for optimal growth. Similarly, pepper seedlings can be started in pots filled with rich soil, sourced from seeds obtained from fresh produce or seed packets purchased from local markets.

5. Planning for Mother's Day Gifts: As you embark on your seedling journey, consider the future not only for your garden but also as potential gifts for loved ones. Seedlings make thoughtful Mother's Day presents, offering the joy of homegrown plants nurtured with care and attention. Whether it's a vibrant pepper plant or a tray of tender lettuce seedlings, sharing the fruits of your gardening labor adds a personal touch to any gift-giving occasion.

Preparing your garden for the new season requires time, effort, and careful planning. By clearing out debris, tending to growing crops like garlic, utilizing food compost, and starting seedlings, you set the stage for a bountiful harvest ahead. As you nurture your garden, remember that the rewards go beyond fresh produce – they include the satisfaction of watching your efforts bloom and the joy of sharing your green thumb with others. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your gardening tools, and get ready to usher in the spring season with a flourishing garden!