April 18, 2014
Preparing Your Garden for Spring and Summer
Winter finally looks to be coming to an end! With weekends warming up, it’s time to put on your gloves, head out to the garden, and begin to prepare your space for the spring and summer. Although it might take a bit of work at the beginning, it will be well worth it when you’re able to reap the benefits with a beautiful space; it will be a nice spot to relax, enjoy a drink, and cook up some good barbecue with friends.
Top Tips for Your Garden
Plan
One mistake many people make with their garden layout is failing to plan before digging in. There may be space in your garden that will have better access to sunlight, making them ideal for vegetables, or some shaded areas away from the elements which will be a good home to those delicate crops or flowers. You don’t need to consult a professional, but creating a logical layout for all the plants you want to include is a good first step. If you’re unsure where your plants will grow best, consult the back of the seed packets; information regarding their lighting needs, when they should be planted, and how much water they will require will be located in this area.
Self-Sustain
If you’re planning to invest time and effort into growing your own vegetables, fruits and flowers, then you’ll need large amounts of mineral rich compost. Create a greener garden by utilizing compost bins, which can break down fruit and vegetable peelings, newspapers, dead flowers, and yard clippings. Once completely broken down, the compost can be added to the garden to enhance the quality of the soil for a better end result to your planting efforts. In addition to compost, you’ll need access to plenty of water for your summer garden. This is just one way to make your garden more self sustaining this year.
Tools
Once you’ve made a plan and invested in flowers and plants, don’t think the hard work is over. You’ll need to dedicate time to upkeep and maintenance, in order to keep your garden looking trim and blooming healthily. You will need the proper tools to get the job done. Start by buying the essential tools, and with time you can slowly build your gardening arsenal. What tools are a must-have for your first time gardening?
- Hand Rake- This is a useful and necessary tool for turning and loosening soil. Choose one made from aluminum or stainless steel so you don’t have to worry about rust.
- Trowel- Made for digging dirt and holes, the trowel is a tool every gardener needs. Look for a one-piece construction that has a comfortable handle.
- Shovel- Unlike spades, shovels have wide, flat blades that are perfect for lifting and moving dirt and heavy objects like rocks and gravel. If you’re planning on building a garden that doesn’t require containers, you’ll most likely need this.
- Shears- Getting your garden to grow means a lot of cutting. You’ll be removing dead flowers, pruning overgrowth, and you may even be edging shrubs. To get all this done, you need at least one sharp pair of shears. We recommend investing in several pairs of different sizes and capabilities so you’ll always be able to get the job done.
Prepare
Winter can be tough on your garden, and it’s likely that the cold months have left your garden in bad shape. When you’re ready to begin preparing your garden for spring and summer, make sure you take the time to get the space ready. Clear tree debris, such as twigs, leaves, and branches, from your yard, and plant grass seed in any bare looking areas. Weeds may already be attempting to pop out and greet the spring sun, so watch for them and get rid of them as quickly as possible. Be careful if you use chemicals to do rid your garden space of weeds, however; leftover residue could impact the growth of your garden.
While you’re busy preparing your beautiful spring and summer garden space, leave those indoor tasks to us! With help from our cleaning service in Ottawa, you can focus on beautifying your outdoor space, while remaining confident that our cleaning professionals will keep your home looking immaculate. Call Greenapple House Cleaning for green cleaning services you’ll love.
