The wintertime tends to do quite a number on our yards. Once the last of the snow melts, what we’re left with tends to be trampled on, dead, discolored, and unpleasant to look at. In other words, not congruent with the eagerly anticipated onset of springtime. Here are a few steps you can take to revive your garden just in time for spring.
Tidy
Once you can ascertain that your soil is no longer wet or damp, you can get started clearing up all the extraneous debris from your garden such as broken branches and twigs, leaves, and other junk that may have accumulated under the snow. Start this process as early as possible, before any new growth starts popping up, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally trampling or uprooting anything while you clean.
Clean
Much like the birds and the bears, your garden tools have been in deep hibernation all winter and are now in need of some sprucing up. Clean off the tools with soap and water. You can also use oil (motor oil is inexpensive and works well) on steel tools to prevent them from rusting, and mineral spirits (turpentine, turpentine substitute, petroleum spirits et cetera) on wood handles to keep them from splintering. After all, clean tools tend to last longer.
Prep
After an entire season of being compressed under snow, your soil is likely in need of some attention. Luckily, reviving your winter-worn soil is as easy as digging in, turning over the soil using a rake, and mixing in compost or fertilizer. Make sure you go through this process at least a couple weeks before you begin planting.
Happy planting!
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