Preparing Your Garden for Spring: 14 Easy Tips

1. Check Your Garden Tools and Organize Your Garden Shed 

Before the start of each season it’s always a good idea to check the condition of your tools. Sharpening your garden tools and clippers regularly keeps them in top shape, making gardening easier and helping plants heal faster after pruning.

Here’s the equipment you’ll need to keep your garden tools in great condition and the best way to sharpen them:

What You’ll Need:

• A mill file (for larger tools like shovels, hoes, and shears)
• A sharpening stone or diamond file (for pruners and smaller tools)
• A wire brush or steel wool (to remove rust)
• A rag and soapy water (for cleaning)
• WD-40 or mineral oil (to prevent rust)
• A vise or clamp (to hold tools steady)
• Safety gloves and goggles (for protection)

Steps to Sharpen Different Tools:

Pruners, Clippers, and Shears

1. Clean: Use soapy water and a wire brush to remove dirt and sap.
2. Disassemble (if possible): This makes sharpening easier.
3. Sharpen with a diamond file or sharpening stone: Hold the blade at its original bevel angle (usually around 20-30 degrees). Stroke in one direction, moving from the base to the tip. Repeat about 5-10 times or until sharp.
4. Remove burrs: Use a fine file or sharpening stone on the back edge to smooth out any rough edges.
5. Oil and reassemble: Wipe blades with mineral oil or WD-40 to prevent rust.

Shovels, Hoes, and Edgers

1. Clean and remove rust: Use a wire brush or steel wool.
2. Secure in a vise: This prevents movement while sharpening.
3. Use a mill file: Hold it at a 45-degree angle and push along the beveled edge in one direction.
4. Repeat until sharp: 10-15 strokes should be enough.
5. Smooth rough edges: Lightly sand any burrs with fine sandpaper or a sharpening stone.
6. Oil to prevent rust: Apply a thin WD-40 or mineral oil coat.

2. Organize Your Garden Shed 

When preparing your garden for spring, You should also tidy up your shed and storage area by organizing your gardening tools for easy access throughout the season.

This will make it much easier to find what you need, when you need it as you work to prepare your garden for spring.

Winter is perfect for checking your sprinkler system before the heat hits. 

Here’s a quick checklist to ensure your sprinkler system is ready for spring and summer:

1. Turn on the Water Supply – Slowly open the main valve to prevent pressure surges.
2. Check for Leaks – Inspect pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads for leaks or cracks.
3. Inspect and Clean Sprinkler Heads – Remove dirt or debris that may clog the nozzles.
4. Test Each Zone – Run a manual test to ensure all zones function properly.
5. Adjust Sprinkler Heads – Ensure they cover the intended areas and do not spray sidewalks or driveways.
6. Check Water Pressure – Too high or too low pressure can cause inefficiency and damage.
7. Replace Worn or Broken Parts – Swap out damaged heads, nozzles, or seals.
8. Update the Timer/Controller – Adjust watering schedules for seasonal needs and check the backup battery.
9. Inspect Rain or Moisture Sensors – Ensure they work properly to prevent overwatering.

A well-maintained sprinkler system helps keep your garden lush and thriving all season long!

Before the season starts, I ensure all my gardening supplies are ready. Staying ahead of pests and mold control helps prevent problems from getting out of hand.

To kick off the season, I mix bone meal and blood meal into the soil to promote strong roots and healthy foliage.

Once the plants have grown to be about 12″, I fertilize them with Rose and flower food every six weeks. And alternate with fish emulsion three weeks after the rose and flower food.

Here is a list of my favorite products I use in my garden when preparing it for the spring.

First, I always save my eggshells, coffee grounds, and banana peels as they make great natural fertilizers.

Bayer Systemic Rose and Flower Care

Bayer Systemic Rose & Flower Care 3-in-1 is a garden treatment designed to protect and nourish roses, flowers, and ornamental plants. It serves three key purposes:

• Fertilizer – Provides essential nutrients to promote strong, healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
• Insect Control – Protects against common pests like aphids, Japanese beetles, and whiteflies by being absorbed into the plant for long-lasting protection.
• Disease Prevention – Helps prevent and control fungal diseases like black spot, powdery mildew, and rust.

This product is absorbed into the plant’s system, offering up to six weeks of protection against pests and diseases while supporting overall plant health. It is best applied at the base of plants and watered in for systemic absorption.

bone meal

Bone meal is a natural fertilizer rich in phosphorus and calcium, making it especially beneficial for plant growth. Here’s how it helps your garden:

Uses of Bone Meal in the Garden

• Encourages Strong Root Development – The high phosphorus content promotes healthy root growth, making it ideal for bulbs, perennials, and newly planted flowers.
• Boosts Flower and Fruit Production – Helps plants produce more blooms and fruit, making it great for flowering plants, roses, and fruit-bearing trees.
• Provides Calcium for Plant Strength. Calcium supports strong cell walls, preventing issues like blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers.
• Improves Soil Health – Slowly releases nutrients over time, enriching the soil without causing nutrient runoff.
• Safe for Organic Gardening – A natural, slow-release alternative to synthetic fertilizers.

How to Use Bone Meal

• Mix into the soil when planting bulbs, roses, or vegetables.
• Apply around established plants and water it in for better absorption.
• Use in moderation, as too much phosphorus can limit nitrogen uptake.

Bone meal is best suited for acidic to neutral soil (pH below 7); in alkaline soil, phosphorus may not be as available to plants.

Blood meal

Blood meal is a high-nitrogen organic fertilizer that provides several benefits to your garden:

Uses of Blood Meal in the Garden

• Boosts Leafy Growth – Its high nitrogen content encourages lush, green foliage, making it ideal for leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and kale.
• Improves Soil Fertility—It enriches the soil by increasing nitrogen levels, which is essential for overall plant health and vigor.
• Speeds Up Compost Breakdown—When added to compost piles, it helps accelerate decomposition, balancing carbon-rich materials like dry leaves or straw.
• Deters Pests—It acts as a natural repellent against deer, rabbits, and other small animals that dislike its strong scent.
• Corrects Nitrogen Deficiencies – Helps plants that show signs of nitrogen deficiency, such as yellowing leaves and slow growth.

How to Use Blood Meal

• Sprinkle lightly around plants and mix it into the soil.
• Use as a top dressing for fast-growing vegetables and flowers.
• Apply sparingly, as too much nitrogen can burn plants or cause excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers and fruit.

Blood meal is best suited for acidic to neutral soils . The perfect time to use this is early spring to jumpstart plant growth.

Fish emulsion

Fish emulsion is an organic liquid fertilizer rich in nitrogen, promoting lush growth, healthy roots, and improved soil health. It boosts microbial activity, supports flowering and fruiting, and is safe for organic gardening.

How to Use:

• Dilute with water (1:4 ratio) and apply to soil or as a foliar spray every 2-3 weeks.
• Ideal for seedlings, vegetables, flowers, and container plants early in the season.
• Avoid overuse to prevent excessive leafy growth.

Though it has a strong odor, fish emulsion is an excellent fast-acting fertilizer for vibrant, thriving plants.

Insecticidal Super Soap

I spray this on my plants weekly as a preventative measure against pests.

Insecticidal Super Soap controls soft-bodied pests like aphids, mites, and whiteflies by breaking down their outer coating. Safe for vegetables, flowers, and houseplants, it leaves no harmful residue and can also help prevent powdery mildew.

How to Use:

• Spray directly on pests, covering all surfaces.
• Apply in morning or evening to prevent leaf burn.
• Repeat every 5-7 days as needed.

A great eco-friendly option for pest control!

Copper Fungicide

If I see any sign of mildew, or blight, I start this immediately.

Copper fungicide prevents and treats fungal diseases like powdery mildew, blight, and black spot on fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals.

How to Use:

• Spray on plants, covering all surfaces.
• Apply early morning or evening to prevent sun damage.
• Reapply every 7-10 days or after rain.

A great organic solution for disease prevention!

Slug and Snail Bait

This is a natural and organic product that is pet-friendly to help keep away the slugs and snails. 

​6. Test Your Soil

When you’re ready to begin preparing your garden for spring, one of the first things you should do is test your soil.

Testing your soil helps determine its pH, nutrient levels, and overall health, ensuring plants get the right balance for optimal growth.

​7. How to Prepare Garden Soil for Next Year

Receiving the results from your soil test will help you determine what you need to use to amend the soil. 

PH Soil (LOW)

If your soil pH is too low (acidic), use lime, wood ash, crushed eggshells, baking soda, or ground oyster shells to improve plant health.

How to Apply:

• Mix into the top 6-8 inches of soil.
• Apply in fall or early spring for best results.

PH Soil (HIGH)

If your soil pH is too high (alkaline), lower it with sulfur, peat moss, coffee grounds, vinegar (sparingly), or ammonium sulfate to improve plant health.

How to Apply:

• Mix into the top 6-8 inches of soil.
• Apply in fall or early spring for best results.

I also like to bring in a few scoops of a 50/50 mix to incorporate into my bare soil each year. 

50/50 mix soil blends 50% topsoil and 50% compost or organic matter. It combines the structure and minerals of topsoil with the nutrient-rich benefits of compost.

What It’s Good For:

• Garden Beds & Raised Beds – Provides a balanced, nutrient-rich plant base.
• Lawn Repair & Sod Installation – Supports healthy grass growth.
• Flower & Vegetable Gardens – Enhances drainage and fertility for better plant health.
• Tree & Shrub Planting – Encourages strong root development.

This mix creates a well-draining, nutrient-dense soil ideal for most gardening needs!

​8. How to Prepare a Garden Bed for Planting Vegetables

A vegetable garden and a flower garden have different nutrient needs. Vegetables require a balanced mix of nitrogen (N) for leafy growth, phosphorus (P) for strong roots and fruiting, and potassium (K) for disease resistance and quality produce. Calcium helps prevent blossom end rot, while magnesium and sulfur support overall plant health.

Since vegetables are harvested frequently, they deplete soil nutrients faster and benefit from regular feeding with compost or fertilizer.

A great choice is Dr. Earth Organic Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer (4-6-3) this fertilizer provides, which slow-release nutrients and organic matter for healthy growth.

​9. Preparing Perennials for Spring

Tubers to Divide:

• Dahlias, caladiums, cannas, elephant ears, begonias

How to Divide:

1. Dig up tubers after foliage dies back. ( they should look like the image above)
2. Clean and dry for a day.
3. Separate using a sharp knife, ensuring each section has an eye or growth point.
4. Replant or store in a cool, dry place until the next season.

Regular division keeps tubers healthy and thriving!

​11. Shop for garden seeds and plant

Exploring reputable online seed companies can enhance your gardening experience with diverse and high-quality selections.

​12. Add stakes and supports for the plants

Support Dahlias, Peonies, Asters, Foxgloves, Sweet Peas and other plants with heavy flowers or tall, delicate stems early in spring.

​13. Spring Planting Flowers