10 Things that are a must on your gardening to-do list this spring

Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a novice one thing is certain for all of us. Spring is coming! Not as daunting as winter for some of us but for farmers and gardeners across America it is go time. With any to-do list it is essential to plan with proper gear, tools and of course a running head start. 

Early spring may look muddy and for some of us it may include patches of snow in the ground still but there are still things you can do to make this season easy peasy with these top 10 items on the to-do list.

10. Clean tools. Easy. Basic. Simple.

It is just like a child or in this case a plant baby- to bring in unwanted pathogens, diseases, bacteria so cleaning is a must! It is proven to help keep your tools sharp, rust free and nice to use as well.. Also,make sure you are also consistently cleaning your machines! Even if you aren’t using a big tractor, things like buckets, trailers, wheel barrows, garden hoses, sprinklers and your boots can come into contact with bacteria that may harm your garden. An All purpose cleaner  recipe people use and love includes 1-3 drops of dawn dish soap, 2 parts vinegar to 6 parts water with a teaspoon or 3 lemon juice (Cleaner not recommended for stone).

Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires' disease, can be contracted by breathing in contaminated water vapors or mist. According to the NYS Department of Health this is something that can cause pneumonia-like symptoms in higher risk individuals; meaning not everyone exposed is susceptible to the issue. It can commonly be found in uncleaned water and watering systems like your garden hose.  Experts recommend that a hose that has been left in the hot sun for multiple days should be flushed with fresh water before turning it to plants. This includes sprinklers that may hold water. Also, keep water moving, like with a fish tank pump in your stationary water systems.

9 Ew it’s Poo! It is actually fertilizer… 

We have talked about getting clean, now let's talk about getting dirty! Cow manure is a main ingredient for a solid industrial grade fertilizer but there are other ways- and poops to get the job done. What if you aren’t looking to use what big industry uses? What if you are small? Like a rabbit? Your mind is probably screaming ‘NO’ from all the years between Peter Rabbit and the farmer. But  hear me out. Rabbit poop is a premiere cold start fertilizer, it is also said to be better than cow or horse manure, it can directly contact plants and soil without burning the roots. Every water cycle a little at a time it breaks down into components essential for healthy soil. This fertilizer option is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It will also improve the soil structure, drainage, and increase moisture retention. 

Plus Rabbits make great gardening companions especially for those who are growing food. Our two lion head mini rabbits who live winters inside enjoying scraps from cut carrots, cabbages, cauliflower ect while their summers consist of supervised gardening tasks like dealing with pesky dandelion weeds. Winters for a gardener who owns a rabbit can be spent by harvesting their stool in burlap bags and sprinkling it into potted plants. These animals are easy to take care of, can be affectionate, and are an essential part of a healthy gardening eco system. 

8 To clear or not to clear? It’s a Bugs Life. 

You may be eager to get started but nature has this muddy mid winter mid spring wonderland with good reason. Pollinators, crystalists and other bug related words are for this time of year. Hidden in the layers of fallen leaves, clumpy dirt and sticks is a thriving microbial network managed by some peoples least favorite gardeners, bugs. If your perennials thrive every year, they will thrive with a little bit of brush in the garden once temperatures are consistently around or above 40 degrees fahrenheit then it is time to clear and mulch your space if you desire to do so. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife study showed they increase crop yield in some cases up to 71%, and can contribute $235 billion annually to global crop value. So don’t bug out, bug in!

Not all bugs are a garden friendly variety.  For example, the Japanese beetle, but for ducks and chickens they are a great source of nutrients and proteins, which is why products have been made to collect these critters for containment and redistribution. They call it a beetlebagger and its smart design is meant to draw beetles into the bags that you hang around the garden, once full you can choose to empty them. You can dump the beetles in your compost or homemade fertilizer; they have nitrogen, phosphorus and chitin which is essential for soil health and plant growth. Just  bury them around your garden but they must be dead first. 

7 Pest Control. It’s NOT a bug's life. 

Contrary to popular belief there are some methods of bug prevention that are safer than others. I want to talk about the ones that involve co-planting. This method can  make a huge difference in the traffic your garden receives in regards to bugs, rodents, and even birds. 

How do we plant these helpful co-plants? There are a few methods popular ones include interplanting, border planting and container gardening. Some animals just do not like certain textures or smells which helps in our attempts to keep them away! To deter birds and mammals it is recommended to use plants like Marigold, lavender, sage, alliums and lambs ear. Not to mention some sort of fencing can go a long way. Try it out! Put helpful plants in your seed arsenal this year. 

6 Plot plan. It is your playground! 

Native Americans had a very special method for growing crops using methods we now call  interplanting. One example is the three sisters method; gardeners create a mound at the center- corn, the first ring is beans and the base is squash. Even the pest control planting methods stem from native planting techniques as they would surround gardens with sage to deter deer.

It is not just about the plants being compatible and symbiotic with other plants it is also about the plants being able to help your soil thrive. If you plant your babies too close together and not the recommended spacing it can get too crowded which can lead to nutrient starved, dried and crackly soil by the end of the growing season. This can also occur with improper watering techniques as well.

A good way to sort this out is to draw and chart it out.  Plot the months and list your plants in order of what gets planted when. Knowing when to start can help organize your groups and even create manageable cycles with multiple harvest dates. Make sure if you draw it out to note where the sun rises and sets to ensure you are aware of the sunlight your garden gets during your garden season. 

5 Controlling the sun. It’s your world, the plants are just living in it. 

For indoor gardeners this is a known subject. Plants either need full or partial sunlight, this means their exposure to the sun impacts their growth and ability to create life sustaining nutrients to ensure a good yield.. Before spring arrives, figure out what kind of garden you have and then see if you can adapt it to suit your garden's needs. Some gardeners use canopy umbrellas to create a partial sun experience for their plants when their gardens are in full sun locations. Gardeners have also used aluminum and other light reflective material to manipulate sunlight into low light gardens. Proper placement is essential when using reflective material like mirrors, crystals, glass panels, ornaments and reflective sheets. Why? Light refraction can lead to fires. 

Science aside there are a lot of things that catch the sun but using them safely and properly is the key to a healthy and sustainable garden. Potted plants have a huge advantage in that aspect since they can be moved into any conditions. Make sure you are taking note of the daylight locations. We orbit the sun in such an odd shape your garden like mine may be shady in winter but sunny in summer so keep that in mind when working. 

4 Watering Habits. 

It is good and sometimes essential to plan how you are going to water your garden, some places get access to water easier than others and that is not necessarily a terrible thing, maybe more work. A lot of gardeners opt for sprinklers, watering cans, water hoses, rain barrels and other systems to keep their soil hydrated for the plants they care for. Watering  comes in many forms, the rain barrel, a bucket. Irrigation methods and proper garden drainage help with this as well. 

You may not get to pick where you garden but you can pick how you garden. 

3 Quantity and how to use it. 

A lot of constrictions on distribution of goods like produce. If you think there may be more than enough at harvest  it is important before deciding to sell to find out if there are specific restrictions for your area. Other alternatives include canning or freezing! Many of the foods you plant can be canned or frozen. Many gardens consist of useful herbs and flowers. Even if you are planting just for you it is important to know what plants you may want more of if you are interested in Medicinal, Culinary, Fragrances or Herbs as well as aesthetic.Drying flowers and herbs is also an experience that brings purpose to your garden with easy prep available before the season starts! 

This season when you pick what to plant see if they could also serve a use in your home or others.. Consider donating. Food insecurity is a very real issue if you or someone you know is struggling there may be resources in your area to help contact your local social services office for more leads and resources like food banks and local pantries. OR call the USDA NATIONAL HUNGER HOTLINE  1-866-348-6479 for immediate confidential assistance to connect with food banks, pantries and govt assistant programs. 

2 Acquiring equipment 

Not everyone is already set up with the little shovel and the little rake let alone the big shovel and the big rake. In this community it is expected that you will grow just as much as your plants do. All of it is rather exciting but my overall advice is to buy things that work for you and that you need immediately as sometimes new toys can wait. 

 DIY ideas like paper towels to get seeds started can be just as good as the in-store options. The point is there is no perfect look to it for some of us and that is perfectly okay. 

1 Getting Dirty. The clean way. 

Gloves can be a great companion tool for people starting their own gardens, especially if they are opting for outdoor locations. I recommend something washable. The truth is those bugs, soil bacteria and potential hazards can hurt way less with a simple choice to glove up. A good sun shade hat helps with his hobby as well by preventing heat stroke.  

There are a lot of simple ways to keep dirt contained inside, like cardboard boxes, newspapers, or plastic wrap. Dirt is precious. Due to erosion, pollution, and unsustainable agriculture the planet loses roughly 24 billion tons of fertile soil a year according to the UN.. Home gardens play a pivotal and potentially vital role in creating fresh fertile soil with personal sustainability. Composting, low level tilling, and introducing worms can help the soil obtain nutrients it otherwise would be deprived of.