The Groundhog was Wrong

Shortly after Groundhog Day was announced it’s 6 more weeks of Winter, which technically it always is 6 more weeks until the Spring Solstice, I started noticing all the Spring birds in my area of Southeast Indiana. Robins were in the trees in January and now I have Song Sparrows in my yard on Valentine’s Day and flocks of Crane’s flying North the same day. It’s in the 60’s in mid-February, so I’m now determined to get on my Spring gardening plans. But wait… will there be a late snow fall or freeze to inevitably take out my Peach blooms? Probably, so I’ll prepare for both scenarios.

Preparing your garden for spring can be an exciting and rewarding task. Here are some steps that I take every year in addition to some extra preparations I’m making this year.

1. Clean up your garden: Start by removing any dead plants, leaves, and debris that may have accumulated over the winter. This will help prevent disease and pests from spreading in your garden. I try to wait until I see bees flying around before doing this in most of the yard, except for my early crops like onions.

2. Amend your soil: Spring is a good time to improve your soil quality. Add compost or other organic matter to your soil to improve its nutrient content and texture. This will help your plants grow healthy and strong. I’m making extra compost bins out of plastic trash bins for this year due to the increase of crops for this year.

3. Prune your plants: Prune any dead or damaged branches from your trees and shrubs. This will help stimulate new growth and maintain the health and shape of your plants. Also pre-treat your Peach trees with dormant sprays to prevent pests for the year.

4. Plan your planting: Consider what you want to plant in your garden this spring. Make a list of the plants you want to grow and start preparing the soil for their arrival. Some plants accompany each other well in the garden, so do some research there before planting.

5. Start seeds indoors: If you want to get a head start on your gardening, start your seeds indoors. This will allow your plants to get a good start before being transplanted outside. I built a new shelf for this year with the help of my dad and used recycled wood products that I had lying around from an old bed frame and some scraps.

6. Mulch your garden: Mulching your garden will help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Add a layer of organic mulch to your garden beds to help protect your plants and improve the overall health of your garden. I had some leftover from last year, so I used it first. Home Depot just got their mulch deliveries, but haven’t really started selling in bulk yet.

To start seeds for Spring planting, you will need the following items:

1. Seeds: Choose the seeds that you want to grow in your garden. Make sure they are suitable for your zone and growing conditions (soil, sun and moisture).

2. Containers: You can use a variety of containers for starting seeds, such as seed trays, peat pots, or plastic cups; I like used yogurt quarts. Make sure the containers have drainage holes.

3. Soil: Use a high-quality seed-starting mix that is specially formulated for starting seeds. This type of soil is lightweight, sterile, and well-draining, which helps prevent disease and promotes healthy seed growth. Remember to pre-water soil, so that seeds will stick to them and won’t float to the top when you keep watering them.

4. Light source: Seeds need light to germinate and grow. Place your seed trays or containers under a bright light source, such as a grow light or a sunny windowsill. There are tons of options for purchasing adaptive lighting solutions online.

5. Watering can or spray bottle: Use a watering can or spray bottle to water your seeds gently. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause the seeds to rot.

6. Humidity dome (optional): A humidity dome can help keep the soil moist and promote germination. It also helps to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level for your seeds.

7. Heat mat (optional): Some seeds require warm temperatures to germinate. A heat mat can help provide a warm and consistent temperature for your seeds, especially if you live in a cooler climate. I have my seed shelf in a room with a wall heater, so I didn’t get a heat mat.

I hope this helps give you a to-do list for your home. Thanks for subscribing to LyvLyfe Newsletter. If you’ve gotten some value from this free newsletter, pass the word along to your friends.