Did you ever wonder why some flower and vegetable gardens thrive in spring and others struggle? Much of it comes down to what the gardener did to prep the beds before winter set in.
Here are some tried and true tips to help your Connecticut vegetable and flower gardens have the best chance come April and May:
- Trim Back: although this should be done throughout the growing season, it’s imperative to master this process before the first frost. You’ll want to remove any diseased plants and trim back other annuals to the ground – they will rot and enrich your soil for the next growing season.
- Weed: Last chance to get the weeds and invasive plants out of your gardens. Remember, there are some fabulous herbs, such as mint, that can take over your garden if you don’t contain them!
- Prune: Not all plants like to be pruned, and some prefer spring pruning – do your research (Google is your friend) to ensure you are pruning the right plants at the right time and the right way.
- Prep your soil: Although many people wait until spring to add manure, compost and other nutrients to the soil – fall is a GREAT time to do it so everything has time to break down and penetrate the soil before spring planting.
- Plant fall bulbs: If you want those glorious spring gardens of Iris, tulips, daffodils, and crocus – you’ll need to plant them before the first frost. It’s also an excellent time to divide some of your current bulb plants and spread the love around your garden.
- Mulch: Like prepping soil, many people wait until spring to mulch gardens, but you can mulch in the fall – it protects the bulbs over the winter from the harsh weather, and it also makes your spring gardens look so much better.
- Hit up the Garden Centers: Now is a great time to pick up great deals on perennials at your local garden center. Even if they look a bit dodgy, most plants can be trimmed back and planted now so you can enjoy them next season – at half the cost!
- Assess and think ahead: Take a picture of your garden in bloom throughout the seasons to remember what you have and what you need (or want!). No more wondering what you planted where – the same goes for your vegetable garden!
Spending time in your garden now will save you time in the spring and give you a leg up on that “Best Garden in the Neighborhood” contest. PS. Don’t forget to rake all those gorgeous fall leaves on your lawn – your grass will thank you, and a gentle reminder to make sure your HVAC system gets a good fall cleaning as well!
