6 Tips to Preparing for Gardening in Spring
Gardening is a great educational activity to involve your kids in. Your kids will marvel at the magic of turning seeds into plants! You can bring in discussions of how plants grow. Just as your kids grow by turning the food and water they consume into bones, skin and muscles, plants turn the food they eat into stems, branches, and leaves!
Kids love to see themselves grow. That’s why they’re always excited to see how much taller they’ve grown since the last time you measured them. Help your kids grow their own food and you’ll teach them how to actively make themselves grow taller! How exciting!
One very important aspect of gardening is that it takes patience. Unfortunately, most kids have very little of this precious resource. Without patience, it is easy to get disappointed and discouraged when it comes to gardening. To avoid discouraging your kids from gardening, you’ll want to make sure you make the right preparation. The right preparation will maximize your chances that your gardening efforts yield exciting, eye pleasing and delicious results! To get the best results from spring planting, take note of the following steps…
1. Get your tools ready
After being in storage for some time, your tools may need sharpening or oiling. It is best to verify the condition of your tools. Sharpen blunt tools, grease joints of the equipment and tools that need it, and replace those that will no longer be of use.
2. Replenish the supplies needed
Do you need more fertilizer and seeds? If what you have is insufficient, it is best to get everything you need before you start planting. If what you intend to plant will need support, this is a great time to prepare the supports.
3. Clear your garden
During winter, weeds, leaves, and broken branches may have invaded your garden. You need to clear the debris from your garden beds. Dead leaves can be used as mulch. Those that are still fresh can be transferred to your compost. Ensure you get all the weeds out.
4. Prepare the soil
During winter, the soil becomes compacted. Before planting, it is essential to loosen the soil. This way, nutrients are readily and easily absorbed by the soil. Mulching is also beneficial when the soil is loose. If the quality of the soil is poor, this is a great time to add the compost to improve its texture and nutrient content. It is critical to add manure a few weeks before planting to allow the soil to absorb the nutrients.
5. Prepare garden beds
Do you often find yourself stuck with more to plant but no more space? This is an excellent time to ensure you have adequate space for your plants. Set up the garden area with what you would like to plant in mind. You might need to set up new planters. Maybe you intend to plant in pots? If so, find out if you have enough. If not, you may opt to buy more if you have all the plants you need.
6. Strategize on the best location for specific plants
Your garden plays a critical role in the appearance of your home. How you arrange your plants is essential. Some plants do well in pots while others are better suited for garden beds. When you visit plant nurseries, find out the best conditions for the plants and where they will thrive based on the spaces you have prepared.
Spring is a time of anticipation after the cold. You and your kids may be looking forward to the flowers and vegetables thriving in the garden. However, for you and your kids to enjoy the outcome of your efforts, you need to prepare adequately. Sharpened tools and nutrient-rich soil will make the process much easier for you.