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 monthly lists, also see what to sow, grow, and make in March, April, and May.

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.

The entire Spring Gardening Checklist is provided below.

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1 Get Ready

Before we start work in the garden, there’s 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.
Start planning. What do you want to grow this year? Any building projects?
Visit plant nurseries. Browse. Dream. Plot. Scheme.
Stock up on spring seeds, veggie transplants, potting soil.
Order bulk delivery of 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
How a Garden Journal Improves the Garden(er) | Even if it’s just quick notes jotted down
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.

2 Clean Up Garden Beds | Temperature averages 10°C or 50°F

TIPS:
1 Avoid walking in your garden beds when the soil is damp: you don’t want to crush all those tender roots underground.

2 It’s time to carefully clear last year’s dead growth when daily temperatures average 10°C or 50°F or more—the same range that is good for most early seed starting. This allows all those living things that overwintered in the leaves, stems, and whatnot to emerge for the season.

Take your time. Examine things as you work and watch for butterfly cocoons and other natural housing that blends in with the habitat. We want to protect life in the garden.

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

Inspect beds for plants that died over the winter but don’t be fooled by slow-growers. When in doubt, wait!
Clear 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 special fertilizers 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.

3 Transition Plants

For most plants, they should be 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! Go as gradually as you can over a week or two.

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.

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.

4 Trees, 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.
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.

5 Sow, Divide, Plant, and Propagate

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.
Take softwood cuttings and grow more of your favourite plants.