Successful Gardening Starts in Spring!

Great yards start with proper spring preparation. Spending just a few hours in your garden this April and May will set you up for success this summer. Follow these simple tips to take your garden to the next level this summer.

Spring Lawn Care

Wait until your lawn has thawed to begin any lawn tasks. If you can walk on the lawn without leaving footprints, it’s time for a spring raking. A light raking will remove winter debris and thatch. Applying a spring fertilizer such as Scott’s Starter Fertilizer 24-25-4 will encourage and maintain strong roots, which work to thicken the lawn and survive periods of drought. For areas with winter or pet damage, lightly rake and top with Revive and Thrive seed/compost mix. To prevent further pet damage, apply Salt Stopper generously to areas frequented by pets.

Enrich Your Soil

Healthy soil equals healthy plants.  All soil will benefit from a yearly application of compost.  Our favourite organic compost is Sea Soil, made on Vancouver Island from fish and forestry byproducts. Sea Soil maintains moisture and adds vital nutrients to your soil to help support plant growth. Mix one third Sea Soil into a new bed or container, or simply top-dress an existing garden bed with 2-3” of Sea Soil and work it in. For an excellent container mix filled with nutrients, choose Sea Soil Container blend.

Pesky Pests

Pest control is all about prevention! A thorough clean-up of all leaf debris will help remove any pests or diseases that may have overwintered. If you experienced damaging insects on woody trees and shrubs last summer, Dormant Oil can be applied before plants leaf out. This spray helps smother overwintering pests and eggs.

Cut It Out

Early spring is a great time to prune most trees and shrubs in your yard. Exceptions are evergreens, birch, maple and early flowering shrubs and trees such as lilacs. Crowded and crossing branches should be thinned out. For overall shaping or sizing, up to one third of a tree or shrub’s growth can be removed at this time. Be sure to use sharp pruners and loppers, cutting just above where buds will emerge. When in doubt contact an arborist or your local garden centre for tips and techniques.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on preparing your yard for spring visit greenlandgarden.com/helpful-tips.