Spring Garden Checklist For Victoria, BC - 8 Essential Tasks
Get your garden ready for springWeed
The start of spring is a good time to tackle weeds since the ground should still be somewhat soft and full of moisture. Moist soil means weeds will pull out more easily and more of the roots will come out when the weed is pulled.
Prune
Spring is usually the right time to prune any plants that flower in later summer or fall, like butterfly bushes, smooth and panicle hydrangeas, and ornamental grasses. Be sure to research the best time to prune different plants in your climate to avoid unnecessary damage. Winter is usually the best time to prune most fruit trees but if you missed doing that in winter then you can prune them in early spring as long as they have not yet started to blossom.
Clean off debris
Raking and leaf blowing are the two easiest ways to clear excess dead leaves and debris. Some dead leaves can be left in the garden as mulch but dead leaves and debris on the lawn, pathways or driveways should be cleaned up.
Trim
The spring is a good time to trim your trees and hedges and get them looking sharp for the upcoming months.
Apply fresh mulch
Spring is a great time to apply some fresh mulch to your garden beds. Not only does it give your garden a clean look, but it adds nutrients to your garden that your plants will love. Fresh mulch can also help prevent new weeds from growing.
Edge garden beds
Edging all garden beds is another easy way to give your garden a sharp look and keep grass and weeds from making their way into your gardens.
Plant
If you want to add new plants to your garden this year then the spring is a great time to do so. The ground is soft, and the mild temperature is ideal to help get the new plants established before the summer heat sets in.
Remove winter protection
If you used burlap or horticultural fleece to protect any plants from winter weather, once it’s warmed up then you can remove the protection. Burlap or horticultural fleece protection is usually used to protect buds that develop in the summer or fall that could be vulnerable to frost damage.