Like your house, your garden needs a good cleaning and some maintenance before the start of the new season. Here are some steps to get your garden and yard in top shape.

CHECK YOUR TOOLS

Go over your tools and make sure they are sharpened and oiled. Also, consider expanding or updating your garden tools. This is a good time to ensure you have enough fertilizer and plant supports on hand too.

CLEAR OUT WEEDS AND OLD MULCH

Remove old mulch and any weeds that have sprouted up in your garden area. Well-composted mulch can be incorporated into the soil, but other mulch needs to be raked away. Make sure to thoroughly remove any weeds so they can’t come back to live in your garden.

PRUNE YOUR TREES AND BUSHES

This is an excellent time of year to prune your trees and bushes because you can see the branch structure, and it’s easier to shape the plants without leaves or blooms. After pruning, adding a little fertilizer to the soil can help the plant recover faster.

PREPARE THE SOIL

Loosen compacted soil by using a tiller or sharp spade. After the ground is churned up, you can add compost or other additives to improve the soil. Testing the pH and nutrient levels can help determine the materials you may want to add.

START PLANTING

Some plants can be started indoors, and others are ready to be planted in early spring. Talk to your plant supplier for tips on when and how to best plant your garden items.

Don’t forget to set up those extra garden beds, window boxes, and new pots to ensure you have enough space for all of your new plants.