Gearing up for Spring Gardening
By Ashley Sobczak, Anoka County Extension Master Gardener
It’s never too early to start preparing for the gardening season – even if there’s still snow on the ground. Whether you grow vegetables or flowers, in containers or in the ground, there’s almost always work to be done. While the weather determines when certain tasks should (and often, can) be completed, there’s plenty to do early in the season to keep you busy. The next few months will be crucial to sowing the seeds of success.
April
Early April is the perfect time to finalize your garden plans and layout, especially if you plant in the ground or in raised beds. If you’re looking for new ideas, there are loads of resources available to help with plant selection and garden design.
April is a great time to sanitize any tools and pots you plan to reuse from the previous year. Sanitizing your tools is crucial in helping to prevent the spread of any diseases that may have been present the prior season.
If you had issues with diseases or pests last year, discard any soil left in your pots and sanitize the pots thoroughly.
If you had no issues, it is generally safe to reuse soil for a second year, but you should mix in fresh soil for rejuvenation.
Some perennials and shrubs should be cut back in early spring. If you’re unsure, research the plants in your yard. Cutting back perennials or pruning shrubs at the wrong time of year could be detrimental to their health or productivity.
Late spring is also a good time to split perennials as needed. Make sure the ground can be worked enough for you to transplant them, or pot then in containers until the garden is ready for planting.
By mid-April, most tender annual crops like peppers and tomatoes should be started indoors. Always follow the instructions on seed packets for proper planting. Once the snow has melted, you can start direct sowing spring crops like radishes and peas, since these vegetables can handle chillier temps. If you live outside of Anoka County and Zone 4, refer to the seed packet for guidelines.
May
May is a good time to start weed management, whether you’re using chemicals, applying mulch, or utilizing another method. Starting early and staying on top of weed control will reduce weed pressure on your yard and garden, leading to healthier, happier plants.
Late May, or when you are able to work the soil, is the perfect time to direct sow summer vegetables, plant perennials and summer bulbs, and start fertilizing. It’s also a good time to plant annuals, as long as overnight temperatures stay consistently above freezing. Since many annuals do not tolerate frost well, a good rule of thumb is to wait on planting them until at least Memorial Day.
As the temperature goes up, so does the amount of garden chores. If you’re anything like me, I bet you can’t wait to get started. Happy gardening!
Save the date for the Anoka County Master Gardener Plant Sale, May 17 and 18 at the Anoka County Fairgrounds. For more information, visit anokamastergardeners.org