Here in Oakville, springtime takes a while to arrive, and when it does, much needs to be done in the garden. The summer growing season is not long so there definitely is no time to lose in the spring. Actually, the serious gardener will start tidying up the area as soon as the days have temperatures above freezing. Here are a few clean-up steps that most growing spaces need when winter ends.

Trimming

As soon as the nights quit freezing, there is a short amount of time before trees, bushes and shrubs begin to bud out. Before they do produce their new buds, they might need a trimming. Those who do the trimming should read the directions for trimming and pruning each particular tree and shrub.

Clearing Debris

The next thing to do is to examine the landscape, and give it a good look over. All fallen branches, big leaves, and any trash at all needs to be removed and properly disposed. Of course, this improves the appearance of the yard, but large objects lying about hinder the growth of the new grass shoots, interrupt the arrival of the tender daffodils and get in the way of gardening and grass trimming.

Straighten Borders & Boundaries

Now is the time to straighten the borders of the yard and flower beds. All boundaries should be neat and tidy. Borders provide safety, keep out unwanted grasses and let people know where they can walk and where they cannot walk about the space. They keep grass mowing machines away from garden edges, outlining growing sections of yard.

Weed and Loosen Soil

Around flower beds and plots of ground for vegetables, the soil needs to be freshly loosened, weeds pulled and new mulch or ground cover added. In the vegetable plot, if there are no plants that grow from year to year still in the space, a tilling machine can be used, but hand digging and loosening is best if permanent plants are in place. A tiller may ruin the root system and cause the death of the plant. Carefully loosen soil around those plants and remove all weeds.

Mulching

After tidying up nicely around shrubs and flowers in the flower beds, all permanent flowers, herbs, trees, and shrubbery should have a layer of ground covering mulch. Mulching holds in moisture, discourages weeds, and gives added nutrients to the soil. The gardener should be careful to allow breathing space directly around the trunks and stems.

Deep Cleaning

After all the general clean-up is finished, if extra time presents itself before planting time arrives, gardeners can straighten and repair walkways, paint fences and further break up and loosen soil around bushes, and trees all around the yard. New borders can also be built in areas that need them, and more thorough weeding and mulching around the landscape can be done. Winter may seem to hang on forever in Oakville, but being organized for quick clean-up will help gardeners prepare for spring planting time.

For more information Contact Joanne Hardy.

67 Lakeshore Ave West. Oakville Ontario L6K 1C9 (905) 338-9000
Cell: 416- 230-1425