Enjoy spring in your yard!
The beautiful weather of the last few days gives us a taste of summer. In order to fully enjoy your yard, here are some useful tips for opening up your garden.
The vegetable garden
Although it is too early to plant most vegetable plants, we can start working the soil and gently acclimatize our seedlings that have gone indoors.
After cleaning up any debris that may have accumulated over the winter, add a thin layer of compost (~1/2") to your garden soil. You can also mix in shredded dead leaves to enrich your soil. Avoid stirring the soil too much, which disturbs the biodiversity that is so useful to your plants.
If a lot of weeds have accumulated, you can cover the area with an opaque black cloth or newspaper. After two or three weeks, this process will eliminate the weeds. If you have a mulch, two weeks before transplanting your vegetables to the garden, simply clear the planting areas to help warm the soil.
You can also take advantage of beautiful spring days (when temperatures are above 15 degrees) to acclimatize your seedlings started indoors in the sun. Protect your seedlings from wind and direct sun. Place them in the shade for a few hours and extend the time spent outdoors each day. Gradually, expose them to the sun and bring the pots where they will be transplanted in late spring. At the same time you will be able to see if your garden plan is suitable for you.
When the nights reach 5 to 10°C and all risk of frost has passed, you can plant your first seedlings directly in the soil: carrots, beetroot, lettuce, etc. These vegetables appreciate coolness and will be vigorous so that you can harvest them quickly. These vegetables appreciate freshness and will be vigorous enough to give you a quick harvest.
The lawn
Only when the snow has completely melted and the soil has had time to dry out can the lawn be worked. Start with a leaf rake to remove winter debris. Spread a thin layer of marine compost combined with lawn soil over the areas to be seeded. Broadcast the first seed, using quality seed to ensure optimum germination, and then press the back of your rake lightly to ensure the seed sticks to the soil. Be sure to keep the area moist, but not soggy, while the seeds germinate. Reseed two weeks later to ensure a strong lawn that will better fight insects and weeds.
Maintenance of your lawn
Fertilize your lawn in the spring to give it a little boost and give it everything it needs to be green. Opt for the Passion Jardins® step-by-step fertilization program and follow the manufacturer's instructions for dosage. In May, the first fertilization step should be done. Do not apply more than this, as you risk burning your lawn and harming the environment. What is not absorbed by your lawn will be washed into waterways.
Trees and Shrubs
Although it is preferable to prune your plants in the fall, it is possible to do so in the spring before the new growth mixes with the old. Cut off dead wood and broken branches: you can cut off up to a third of the branches without affecting your plants. For spring flowering trees and shrubs like lilacs, wait until after flowering to prune.
All that's left to do is clean your pots and put out your patio furniture and you're ready for summer!