Fling Into Spring With The Spring Gardening Checklist

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Sail through your spring garden tasks with this free, printable spring gardening checklist listing all the essentials, items you may be forgetting, and nice-to-do projects.

For tips by season also see our Handy Season-By-Season Garden Checklist (What To Get Done Each Month).

Her Majesty the Empress of Dirt in the spring garden.

Fling Into Spring Garden Checklist

“The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives.“ Gertrude Jekyll

I love lists! And this Spring Gardening Checklist is packed with good ideas. No two gardens are the same, but, by reading through it, you will certainly think of things you want to get done in your growing space—no matter what size or style.

And whatever you choose to do, enjoy it!

Spring is peak phenology season, where the amazing inter-relationships between living things are most evident. And experiencing it makes life that much sweeter.

Empress of Dirt

Spring Gardening Checklist

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Spring Gardening Checklist

1Get Ready

Before we start work in the garden, there are a few things to take care of.

First, get outside and have a look at the garden. Is there any winter damage? What’s growing? Any repairs needed? Take photos.
Know your garden zone and last frost date. That determines when tender plants can cope.
Look over your notes from last year and start this year’s. I sell a printable garden planner here.
Start planning. What do you want to grow this year? Any building projects? This has a weekly vegetable seed sowing plan.
Organize your seeds | This shows two smart and simple systems.
Visit plant nurseries. Browse. Dream. Plot. Scheme.
Stock up on spring seeds, veggie transplants, potting soil.
Order bulk delivery of soil, compost and mulch. Check for early bird deals.
Start turning compost pile twice a week if possible.
Get a soil test from an accredited lab and find out what your soil truly needs. We compared the accuracy of a home soil test kit versus lab results here.

Resources

How to Find and Understand Your Plant Hardiness Zone | And find your last frost date
Composting 101 | Slow and Fast Methods
Canadian Seed Company Directory
United States Seed Company Directory
12 Tips for Growing Giant Sunflowers | Hint: you have to start with the right seeds.

2Clean Up Garden Beds

Is It Time for Spring Garden “Clean Up”?

Instead of just relying on a specific date, also use these signs to know it’s time for cutting back last year’s dead perennial stalks:

1) Last frost is within a few weeks (the later you wait, the better).
2) Temperatures are consistently averaging 50°F (10°C) or higher.
2) Lots of insects are flitting about, leaving their winter habitat.

The idea is to disrupt the overwintering insects (and more) as little as possible. Once they are moving about, tidy up old debris only if needed. Leave as many 12-18-inch stalks as possible—there’s life in there. And know this is a compromise: wildlife needs dead & decaying organic matter all year-round.

My basic approach to cleaning up spring garden beds goes like this

Avoid walking in garden beds when the soil is damp: you don’t want to crush all those tender roots underground or push down any emerging plant snouts and shoots. If you must do it, put down a wood plank to better distribute your weight.

Inspect beds for plants that died over the winter but don’t be fooled by slow-growers. When in doubt, wait!
Clear away any mulch used to cover perennials in winter.
Cut away dead leaves and stems from perennials.
Remove weeds at roots. Use a thick barrier to suppress invasive plants (ivy, crabgrass, etc.).
Add any stakes, trellis, or other supports that will be needed.
Edge beds for a nice, crisp look.
Add any (organic, slow-release) fertilizers—if needed.
Add compost to enrich the soil.
Top with mulch. I currently use 2-inches of hardwood chips. Whatever you choose, be sure the rain can get through.

Resources

7 Weeding Tips Every Gardener Should Know | Smart ways to make it easier.
How to Safely Prune Hard-to-Reach Branches | The tools that replaces a tree service.
Beginner’s Guide to Organic Fertilizers for Home Gardeners | Slow and easy wins the race.
How to Choose the Right Trellis for Clematis | Start right to avoid troubles later.
How to Make Tomato Cages from Wood | They’re great for any climbing plants.

3Transition Plants

If you have plants indoors awaiting outdoor planting, most can be gradually transitioned near or after your expected last frost date.

The key to successful transitioning from indoors to outdoors or vice-versa, is easy does it!

Did you stash potted trees in a garage or start bulbs in a container last fall? It’s time to increase light and water.

Once the risk of frost has passed:

Harden off (transition) indoor seedlings in preparation for transplanting.
Give houseplants their summer holiday on the patio—but avoid sudden changes and harsh light.

Resources

How to Overwinter Potted Trees | And reintroduce them in spring.
How to Prepare Indoor Seedlings for Transplanting Outdoors | Also called hardening off.
Best Temperatures for Sowing Seeds | For warm and cool veggie crops.
How to Find Your Plant Hardiness Zone | And last frost date.

4Trees, Shrubs, Vines, Grasses

Remove winter covers including burlap wraps.
Inspect for winter damage.
Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches: this is much easier to do before leaves fill in.
Look up your plants to determine best time to prune for plant health, safety, size, shape, and to stimulate new growth.
Generally, plants that bloom in late summer or fall are pruned in spring. But you have to check first. The goal is to avoid snipping off buds that will produce future flowers.
Note any vines needing better trellis or supports.
Trim back dead growth on deciduous grasses, careful not to cut new growth.
Cut back late summer and fall raspberries.

Resources

How to Choose the Right Pruning Tool for Your Garden | The right tool makes all the difference!
What to Prune in Winter and Early Spring | Hurry! It’s prime time for pruning.
How to Identify and Prune Your Hydrangea | Most don’t need pruning!
Types of Clematis and How to Identify Yours | Only some types need pruning.

5Sow, Divide, Plant, and Propagate

This has specific tips to know when it’s safe to plant and sow in the spring garden before last frost.

Plant summer flowering bulbs in containers or in the ground as the soil warms.
Sow cool weather veggies for early crops when temperatures are suitable.
Use frost covers, polytunnels, cold frames, or cloches to protect young annuals.
Get geraniums and bulbs out of storage for spring planting.
Reseed patchy areas of lawn or use transplants. Or start converting to wildflower ground cover.
Take softwood cuttings and grow more of your favorite plants.

New to Veggie Growing?
See How to Start Your First Vegetable Garden Now

Resources

20 Quick-growing Veggies | Spring & Fall | Plants that don’t mind cooler temperatures.
10 Spectacular Fast-Growing Flowers | Annuals to sow from seed.
Growing Veggies in Containers from Spring to Fall | No room? No problem!
10 Plants for Delightfully Early Spring Flowers | Handy list of early bloomers.
14 Delightful Early Summer Flowering Perennials | Don’t miss out!
Grow New Plants from Softwood Cuttings | List of plants to propagate in spring.

6Tools & Equipment

Set up garden hoses and rain barrels.
Check that rain gutters are clear of debris.
Clean and sharpen garden tools.
Get wheelbarrow tire inflated.
Take lawn mower blades in to be sharpened and avoid the rush.
Remove pond heaters.
Set up fountains, pond pumps, and put water plants in summer locations.
Clean out shed and storage areas.

Resources

6 Smart Tips for Keeping Organized as a Gardener | Avoid overwhelm and enjoy the ride.
How to Make Good Garden Tools Last a Lifetime | Basic, routine care tips.
Decluttering 101: How to Let it Go and Get on With It | My best decluttering tips.

7Wild Things

Clean and set up bird feeders and bird baths.
Have oriole and hummingbird feeders ready for arriving migrations. See the hummingbird migration map to know where they are now.
Clean out and set up nesting boxes.

Resources

Phenology: Using Natural Signs and Signals to Grow Your Best Garden| Spring is prime time!
How to Choose the Right Birdseed | And avoid waste and disease.
How to Properly Clean Bird Feeders | And bird baths.
How to Make Sugar Water for Hummingbirds | Orioles will drink it too.
Free Nesting Box Building Plans | Bluebirds, chickadees, wrens.
How to Hand-Feed Wild Birds | It just takes patience and birdseed!

8Patio & Decor

Set up patio furniture and put out garden art and décor from winter storage. If you didn’t wash it in fall, now is a good time. I use a pressure washer.