When spring rolls around it’s easy to dive straight into garden chores because you just want to be back out there enjoying the space You’ve probably got a mental list already, pruning, planting, mulching- all the usual stuff. But before you start hacking away, it’s actually worth holding off a bit and letting your garden show you what it actually needs. It sounds a little hands off, but there’s a lot to be said for observing first and acting second. You’ll save yourself time, effort and probably a bit of frustration as well.
See What’s Doing Well
The first thing to do is just wander. No gloves, no tools- just take a slow walk around. Notice what’s thriving without much fuss. You might spot plants that are basically growing themselves, which is a good clue about what works in your space. If your lavender is exploding by the back fence with no help from you, why not add more drought loving herbs nearby instead of fighting to keep fussier flowers alive? And don’t just look at the plants, watch the wildlife too. If there’s an area buzzing with bees or packed with birds, that’s worth paying attention to. It probably means the soil and conditions are naturally inviting. Lean into it. You’ll get more out of working with what’s already thriving than forcing something else to survive.
Don’t Be Too Quick to Rip Things Out
Spring brings a lot of surprise seedlings. Some you’ll instantly recognize as weeds, but others might be worth keeping. Self-seeding flowers like black-eyed Susans or coneflowers have a habit of popping up in odd places. If they’re happy there, leave them. Plants tend to know where they want to grow better than we do. There’s also something charming about a bit of wildness. A stray patch of alyssum creeping along the patio or a little colony of violas pushing through gravel, this is the kind of imperfection that can make a garden feel lived in.
Don’t Rush to Fertilize
It’s easy to assume spring means it’s time to dump down fertilizer but hold off until you know what your soil actually needs. Most garden centers (or local extension offices) offer affordable soil testing kits. They’ll tell you if your soil’s pH is off or if it’s missing nutrients. Without testing, you’re just guessing. And honestly, you could do more harm than good. Over fertilizing can make plants weaker, not stronger, it encourages fast, leggy growth that’s more prone to disease. If you do need to give your plants a boost, head to Home Depot or Lowe’s and pick up something like Espoma’s ‘Plant-tone’ or ‘Garden-tone.’ Both are solid organic fertilizers that give perennials and veggies a gentle, steady feed without overloading them. And while you’re there, it’s worth grabbing a good leaf vacuum to keep on top of all the leftover debris from winter. The Worx leaf vacuum is a solid choice, it vacuums, mulches and blows, which makes clearing up a whole lot easier.
Hold Off on Pruning
It’s tempting to go after everything with the shears, but again, watch first. Some plants actually benefit from a bit of neglect early on. Hydrangeas, for example, are picky about pruning. Some varieties bloom on old wood, so if you go hacking away, you’ll accidentally cut off this year’s flowers. Roses are the same. You’re better off waiting until you see fresh growth, then pruning away the dead wood.
What’s your garden trying to say this spring?