Hey guys, as spring is getting closer and closer I got the idea to compile some general steps that you can perform in early and mid-spring to have a perfect start into this gardening season.

The good news is, you don’t really have to do a lot of chores (and neither are they really strenuous) and will be able to enjoy the fruits of your work during summer and autumn.

Clean up your lawn

After months Your lawn will be filled with mud and debris after months of winter. Dead leaves, mud etc. should be raked from the grass to give it a good, clean look; the overplus of sunlight will also encourage your grass to grow.

Once the weather warms up, cut back the old grass so new growth will start as soon as possible (do, however, not cut it back too low but mow with high blades). You should also apply mosskiller if you haven’t done so in winter.

Replant and repair your lawn

A long winter will leave gaps in your lawn, so you best fill them – and spring is the best time to do so: Soften the soil with a rake and mix enough grass seeds in the soil – keep the patches well-watered until the seeds germinate. Poorly growing areas are best fed with

all-purpose fertiliser and planted again.

Move trees and shrubs

If you want to move trees and shrubs to another place, to it now before they leaf out. Its much more difficult to get them going again in the middle of summer – it’s always better to move plants while they’re still dormant.

I have found that the easiest way to move larger plants is to cut a trench trough the earth just outside the area of leaves. Cut through roots and put the plant on a plastic bag for transportation to hurt the roots as little as possible. It should always be planted at about the same depths in the earth as it was originally planted. A newly planted tree should always be amply watered; you can also apply mulch to keep the water from evaporating.

Pruning

Trees and shrubs (especially roses) should be pruned before spring. Don’t start pruning too late, as the sap would “bleed” from the plant and deplete it of energy and nutrients. As you prune shrubs and bushes to remove unhealthy branches and to encourage growth, you should cut limbs and branches shortly before buds.

Landscape trees, on the other hand, are pruned to develop and influence their natural growth, so their limbs should be taken right at the base for not hurting the natural “flow” of the tree.

Spray to avoid pests

Circumvent the spread of scale insects and pests by applying dormant oil spray to trees (especially fruit trees) while the buds are still closed.

You don’t want to buy it?

Mix your spray at home: Most people use a mix of canola (or vegetable oil) and baking soda in a relation of 2:1, combined with about one gallon of water, for their spray. Some people even put garlic or hot peppers in their sprays for better effect! Try it to see what works best for your plants.

Weed as early as possible

Although it’s unpleasant work, you better go and look for weeds as soon as spring arrives. Uncontrolled weed will drain the nutrients and water from the soil (leaving less for your flowers); they’re also easiest to pull out now, before their roots had the time to deepen, so take them out as soon as you see them. It’s best to arrange different compost piles for general debris on the one hand and for weed on the other hand or just to leave the wood out of your compost at all.

Plant new flowers

If you want to create new beds, you can prepare the soil by putting some paper (about 4 layers) on the respective areas it and pile some compost on top of it – this will eliminate the old vegetation and give a good head-start to your new plants.

Annuals and perennials can then be planted once the weather gets milder and the soil dryer. Applying mold (you can also work in some composted leaves and/or manure) and let it rest for a while before planting the seeds.

I always find it handy to put small glasses (from marmalade etc.) on top of the young seeds to protect the from snails and other pests.

I hope you enjoyed this article. If you have some tricks to share or if you just want to leave greetings here, please comment under this article.

Spring time is coming soon – which means that you best take some time to worry about your roses and ensure that they take a good start into the new year. Of course, you can also plant new roses in spring: In fact, it’s a perfect time for planting, as your roses will start to bloom right in your garden!
I have composed some steps that have always helped me to maintain my roses and have also worked for friends of mine. How much time and money (for equipment) you want to invest is – as always – your choice.

At what time should I start the rose care?

Well, this depends on your climate. End of January for warmer climates, end of April for colder climates. You can also have a look at your roses: Start these steps once the new buds are starting to get wider (but always before the leaves are starting unfurl!).

Mulching

If you’ve covered the soil around your roses with mulch or compost during winter, take most of it away and apply a new layer. The new layer will slow the evaporation of water and thus supply your roses with enough water (for this steps, it’s vital that there will be no more freezing temperatures).

Fertilizing

Apply fertilizer – all purpose fertilizer is sufficient for most kinds of roses – right at the beginning of the season. You can also use manure, if available. Continue to fertilize in steps between two weeks and four weeks during summer, but stop before the beginning of autumn (around September).

Pruning

In spring, this means to remove old and diseased parts of the plant – it is quite vital to promote new growth. You shouldn’t cut away too much of the plant as it may be weakened: One fourth to one third of all canes is enough. Once you’ve done this and the roses start to bloom, you should wait until midsummer for the next pruning. Always cut close to the new buds in a 45 degree angle, if possible.

Not every type of rose requires pruning to get into the new year, but for me, it’s always been a good way to clean them up and control their size. Remember to clean the area once you’re done and to remove all dead leaves and debris.

Spraying

You should also spray your roses if you’ve noticed fungus or mildew on them. I like to use a combination of lime sulphur and horticultural oil, which I get from a gardening market nearby. Do so after you’ve pruned and apply until the plant is well covered in it (also remember to apply it on the soil in good measure).

These tips should also work fine for your roses. Have a good start into the gardining season 2012!

P.S.: You can also plant dormant roses in spring. Best put the plant into a pot of water and let it soak for about two hours; remember to use fresh earth as well as fertilizer for the young roses. Newly planted roses require a hell lot of watering, but you better water frequently and control that the soil doesn’t  remain too wet (beware fungus..) after one day.

After not being here for a few months I would like to share some of my thoughts with you, which I had in winter. I thing it’s a very good start and workout for my rusty fingers

Form follows Function – Even in Gardening

One of the most important steps in creating a garden you’ll love in the long term is to think about the general layout. I have made the experience that it’s indispensable to know what you want your garden to be like before even thinking about which plants to grow, whether to have a pond etc.

Your garden is a part of your life!

Remember, form should follow function – your garden is a part of your life, and you will want to get the highest satisfaction from it.

• Do you want to have small place to relax after work?
• Do you want to have a giant green for throwing barbecue parties?

Design a concept!

You best decide what shall be the central place of your garden and make a concept out of it. This may seem strenuous in the beginning, but you will be thankful once you’ve pulled it through and earn the results.

Let’s for example take a small place to recline and get away from everyday stress – a bench perhaps, or a deck chair. Think of the surroundings you find most suiting for it, and create shapes around it.

Go into yourself!

Don’t limit yourself to rectangular shapes – think circles, cones (a cone of grass that leads to a small terrace, maybe?) or even spirals for your greens, flowerbeds and bushes. You’ll have to decide whether you’ll want your resting place secluded in a corner of your garden or exposed and encircled by the rest.

I’ve always found it rewarding to not only draw a concept, but to cut out some pieces of paper and to arrange them. If you’re indecisive, take your time and think it over – just don’t take the easiest alternative. A great layout will always reward you in the long term!