Our List of Early Spring Gardening Activities

We have put together this list of early spring gardening activities so you can get the most out of your garden—and your garden planning—this year.

With some careful planning and cooperation from Mother Nature, we can have flowers in the garden almost every month of the year!

With some careful planning and cooperation from Mother Nature, we can have flowers in the garden almost every month of the year!

Garden Jobs

  • Prune summer flowering shrubs by late March (hydrangeas, roses, lavender and others)

  • Prune spring flowering shrubs as they finish blooming

  • Prune fruit trees and apply dormant spray by late March before trees break dormancy

  • To prepare for planting, spread compost and/or manure on flower and vegetable beds

  • If growth is required or colour is poor, fertilize evergreens and trees in March using a high nitrogen fertilizer

Planting

  • Plant any hardy containerized plants

  • Plant bare root trees and roses before the end of March

  • Raspberries & strawberries are available for planting as inexpensive bare root plants in early spring

  • Plant small fruits like blueberries, grapes, kiwis, and blackberries

  • Summer bulbs are arriving for planting - i.e. lilies, montbretia, nerines, gladiolas, and dahlia can be planted as the soil warms up

Lawns

  • Early spring is the time to apply lime and moss control when the weather is dry

  • Add fertilizer 2 weeks after liming (as grass growth starts) with a high nitrogen product and repeat in 6 weeks

  • New lawns can be seeded when soil warms up (usually mid-March)

  • Prepare soil as soon as it’s dry enough to work, aerate lawn if required (i.e. if drainage is poor)

Perennials

  • Divide and move plants by late March if required

  • The nursery has a great selection of new plants in early spring

  • Fertilize or mulch beds with compost to enrich soil

  • Watch that weeds do not get out of hand among the perennials, remove weeds before growth starts

Seeding

  • If a protected area is available, March is the time to plant many types of seeds

  • If you’re not sure of the seeding date, use the 6 week rule: plant seeds indoors for 6 weeks before planting outdoors

  • When planting seed, plan on enough room for transplants to be grown on

  • Cold frames will speed up growth of plants and harden tender plants

  • Direct seeding can be done for hardy plants such as sweet peas

Annuals

  • Most types of outdoor annuals shouldn’t be planted until mid-April at the earliest

  • Complete prep work: planting beds, spreading compost and/or manure, etc. and work in lime and a balanced fertilizer—this will pay great dividends later!

  • Only hardy annuals can be planted in early spring, such as pansies, bellis and primulas

  • If you have a protected area, hanging baskets and planters can be planted in early spring for a head start

Vegetables

  • Plant hardy items such as brassicas, lettuce, and onions in March

  • Peas, spinach, carrots and beets can be seeded

  • Feed rhubarb and mulch with organic compost

  • Plan your herb garden location as a perennial bed as most types are hardy

  • Heat loving plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and melons are set out mid-May

  • If space is limited, plant only high value vegetables or those varieties that you prize–have a plan of what you want from your garden

Spring Colour in the Garden

  • Spring can be a long season in our area

  • Most of our flowering trees and shrubs are spring-flowering 

  • Remember that spring-blooming plants are pruned after flowering, not before

  • Expect a lot for colour to appear as the weather continues to warm up 

  • With some careful planning and cooperation from Mother Nature, we can have flowers in the garden almost every month of the year!

Our selection is constantly changing. Please see our plant lists for up-to-date information. Otherwise, we encourage you to contact us or, better yet, visit us in person!

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Overwintering Common Subtropical Plants

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Companion Planting and Attracting Beneficial Insects to Your Garden