As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers… but not if you don’t plan ahead first. A little bit of hard work will go a long way in getting your yard in tip-top shape as the temperature warms up. Think of it this way: the sooner you start, the more time you’ll have to enjoy your garden. If you’re ready to get your garden underway, read on for a few spring gardening tips in Seattle, WA.
Assess your yard
Your garden might be worse for wear without any maintenance throughout the winter, so it’s a good idea to thoroughly inspect your yard. Check for any cold damage on plants and overgrowth in trees. Determine whether garden beds need to be cleaned out. Inspect hardscaping elements such as fences and walkways for any shifting, bowing, rotting or other damage. Check if you’ve gained any new animal tenants by looking for signs of animal activity or shelters.
Tune up your tools
Your hardware needs to get ready for gardening season, too. Not only will keeping your tools in good shape make them easier to use, but it’ll be safer as well. Give your tools a good cleaning and sharpen any blades. If your tools are rusty, soak them in a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar, then scrub with steel wool. If any wooden handles have splits and cracks, they should be cleaned, sanded and then rubbed with boiled linseed oil. Finally, take an inventory of the tools that are already in your arsenal so you know what you’ll need to acquire or replace for the upcoming growing season.
Repair hardscaping
Before you can actually beautify your garden, you need to make sure you have a good canvas to work with, and that means taking care of your hardscaping. This includes but is not limited to retaining walls, walkways, fences, benches, patios, window boxes and raised beds. Not only is this a good time to make repairs to existing hardscapes, but it’s also ideal for planning and installing new elements. Working on your hardscaping before the peak of growing season also minimizes the disturbance to your plants, which will still be dormant.
Clean up your yard
Your yard isn’t exempt from spring cleaning, so roll up your sleeves and start clearing out any unwanted debris. This could be dead leaves, fallen branches, last year’s annuals or any perennials you no longer want. If you used protective winter mulch, now’s the time to remove that, too. If you have a water feature, clean it out and give it a good scrub before putting it back into operation.
Ready to rejuvenate your garden with these spring gardening tips in Seattle, WA? Stewart Lumber & Hardware Co. is a one-stop shop for all your hardware and home improvement needs, stocked with top quality brands at competitive prices. With over 90 years of experience, we’re a proven resource for supplies and materials you can trust. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services!