A tradition for millions of Americans is to engage in spring cleaning. However, this tradition is typically relegated to the interior of the home while the exterior is often largely ignored. There are several things that you can do to help the exterior of your home, and more pointedly, your garden in the middle of your Spring cleaning. This article is meant to provide you with simple tips for you to follow to help keep your garden clean and producing in the coming summer.
While it may seem counter intuitive, it helps your plants when you prune them. Roses and other plants that bloom for extended periods of time should have their blooms pruned once the petals have fallen from the flower. This will allow the plant to divert energy that would have been used on the spent blooms to areas of the plant that are preparing to bloom, giving you more frequent and more impressive flowers.
It is absolutely vital for you to keep a handle on the weeds in your yard. If you do not weed your yard regularly, a weed can go to seed and will result in dozens, if not hundreds of weeds popping up all around your yard. Do not let weeds go to seed, cut them down as soon as they appear. Usually, you can do a very good job by spending one morning in your yard with the specific intent to thoroughly weed the garden.
Start a compost pile. This has several benefits. First, you increase the amount of recycling that your family engages in. Second, you provide your garden with a natural fertilizer that is inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Finally, the yield of your garden will increase because of the addition of nutrients to the soil. These benefits should convince you of the benefit of creating and maintaining a compost pile.
Spring time is the best time for planting many things. Once you are ready to plant, you should take into account your goal. Trees provide your family and your home with shade, and with a meeting place. If you are looking to decrease the amount of maintenance that you have to put in, trees will also be a good choice. Remember that there are several plants that are annuals, so you will need to re plant every year.
Spring is the time to apply fertilizer. Your garden has been dormant during the winter, and likely, you have neglected the soil throughout the winter. Once the ground thaws, it is important to start conditioning it. Purchase some manure or other form of fertilizer and begin mixing it into the soil where you intend to plant your new acquisitions.
Hopefully these tips will get you well on your way to a beautiful summer garden by taking these steps in the Spring. In gardening, just like many other things, it is the preparation you do up front that creates success. Good luck with all your preparations and enjoy your summer garden.
