jibe these chore off your to - do list before the red-hot atmospheric condition arrive .
Marty Baldwin
summertime is just around the recess . There are several meter - sensible garden task that you should address now , before it have too red-hot and your schedule fills up withwarm - weather activity . take upkeep of the following tasks in the next few weeks will save you time in the long run and will get your garden time of year started on the correct metrical foot .
Credit:Marty Baldwin
1. Get Your Soil Tested
examine your soilis the upright means to sleep with if it ’s deficient in crucial nutrients or if its pH level ( acidity or alkalinity ) is in the proper stove for garden plants . If you ’ve never test your soil , now is the time . If you have n’t had your soil tested in 3 or 4 years , it ’s a good estimation to do it again , since your soil ’s chemistry change over clip . Send a sample distribution to testing science lab , or you could also bribe home land trial run kits . The test results should include recommendation for what to add if you postulate toadjust the pHor nutrient levels .
2. Check and Repair Tools
search over your tools and be sure they ’re in good shape . Sharpen blades on your garden shearsand pruning hook , and oil colour wooden handgrip . doctor or replace damage instrument . Have your lawn mower service or tune it up yourself bysharpening its sword , supplant sparkle stopper , and refilling the oil . Check your gage - whopper , leaf blower , and other power tools to ensure they ’re ready to go when you are .
3. Check Irrigation System and Set Timers
If you have anirrigation system , check to make indisputable your scheme does not have leak or blockages that may have developed over winter . If you winterized the system , reconnect it and flush it out , then run it to be sure it ’s operating correctly . Finally , be sure your timekeeper are set to the appropriate schedule .
4. Plant Trees and Shrubs
Planting novel treesand shrubs now gives them some time to get established before the heating of summertime set in . This is also a adept fourth dimension to move young tree or shrubs if you ’ve settle they need resettlement . Be sure to irrigate all newfangled plantings on a regular basis .
5. Prune Spring-Flowering Shrubs
Shrubs that bloom in the spring , such as forsythia , flowering quince bush , lilac , and weigela , form their bloom buds from former bounce to summertime the class before they flower . Theideal time to prunethem is immediately succeed their blooming season so you remove undesirable growth without sacrificing next year ’s flower . Remove any dead or damaged branch or branches that cross and scratch against each other .
6. Plant and Divide Perennials
If you plan to impart perennials to your beds , now is the metre . If your summer andfall blooming perennialshave become too large for their spaces , dig them up and separate them . Replant sectionalization elsewhere in the landscape or share them with friends and neighbour . hold back until fall to divide spring bloom perennial .
7. Fertilize Flower Beds
one-year and perennial flower bed will profit from a top - bandaging of 1 to 2 column inch of compost . or else , you could top - attire with a slow - liberation works intellectual nourishment . Worms and other dirt being will assist spread the nutrient to the roots of the plants . If youfertilize your lawn , nearby tree and bush may not postulate extra fertiliser . If they do seem to necessitate a encouragement , think a top - dressing with a obtuse - outlet fertilizer or compost .
8. Weed and Mulch
Remove weed that may have appeared in your beds , then apply a impertinent 3 -to 4 - inchlayer of organic mulchto all beds , both newly planted and established . The mulch help moderate fluctuation in soil temperature , prevents water evaporation and soil crust , and inhibits weeds . As it breaks down , it feeds the territory and improve soil texture . It also give your bed a pleasing , hefty visual aspect .
9. Repair Hardscape Features
Inspect fences , retaining walls , decks , gazebos , sheds , trellises , and benches for hurt that may have come about over winter . renovate them and put on a sealant , pigment , or stain if want . If you have stepping stones , confirm whether they ’ve move and need re - leveling . check up on theedgings of your beds ; if they ’ve shifted , move them back into property . If you cut around your beds or walkways to spring an edging , now is the time to refresh it .
10. Plant Container Gardens
Examine planters and window boxes to be sure they are salutary stipulation and quick to plant . hit sure-enough soil and make clean them out . Move the planter to your desire localization and fill with clean fresh potting mix . Plant as before long as the weather permit so you’re able to love yourcontainer gardensall time of year .
11. Clean Bird Feeders and Bird Baths
Empty fowl feeders of old semen and lave them with a balmy ( 10 percent ) bleach solution . Use the same solution toclean the bird tub . To keep your backyard hoot healthy , fair both feedersand bird baths regularly throughout the time of year . Change the weewee in the bird bath at least once a week .
