Spring Planting: Seven Things To Do Now

Get a head start with spring planting of annual flowers, vegetables and herbs:

• Plan spring flower, vegetable and herb plantings in well-drained, reasonably fertile, uncompacted soil.
• Purchase seeds.
• Start seeds indoors of vegetables and herbs with slow germination and/or long seedling periods such as parsley and tomatoes. Monitor new seedlings.
• Irrigate new garden beds, wait 10 to 21 days prior to planting to flush weed seeds, and remove or till in weed seedlings.
• Inspect and repair raised beds, garden structures, fencing, hose bibs, and drip or other irrigation systems.
• In new beds or compacted soils, double-dig or loosen soil with a spading fork and remove stones and obstructions.
• Amend soils prior to planting by surface dressing and/or gently working in compost, organic matter, manures, and other amendments.

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Need more ideas? Consider watering your organic garden without using chlorinated water:

Chlorine, Soil, and Watering Gardens

Remove Chlorine When Watering Organic Gardens

And many plants like particular levels of soil pH. Read how to calculate your soil pH:

Mud Pies and Fizz: Easy Home Tests for Soil pH

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