Spring Gardening: Five Tasks You Shouldn't Forget

Starting a spring garden? It is easy to remember to amend your soil and purchase your seeds. You may not  remember these five gardening tasks, but they will add immeasurably to the success of your spring garden:

1. Irrigate new garden beds, wait 7 to 14 days prior to planting to flush weed seeds, and remove or till in weed seedlings. By encouraging weeds to grow and then removing them when the soil is bare, you will save yourself hours of weeding during the season.
2. In new beds or compacted soils, double-dig or loosen soil with a spading fork and remove stones and obstructions shortly before seeding new crops. Improving your soil will immeasurably improve your crop.
3. Seed or transplant crops successively for successive harvest, especially of crops that you eat regularly or in large quantities. You will have infinitely more enjoyment of flowers or vegetables if they flower or ripen over the course of the summer rather than all at once, when it can be difficult to put your entire bounty to good use.
4. Add organic amendments and 1 to 1 1/2 inches of fine mulch after vegetable-and-herb starts are 3 to 6 inches tall. Saving water is just one reason to mulch your plants.
5. Consider growing cover crops in dormant garden beds. Not growing anything in one particular bed? Use the opportunity to prepare the soil for the next season by improving the soil with cover crops.

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Other articles of interest regarding soil preparation:

Mudpies and Fizz: Easy Home Tests for Soil pH

Tips for Testing Soil pH at Home With a Soil pH Meter