Waking Up Your West Coast Garden: Spring Preparations

Spring on the southern tip of Canada's West Coast is a unique and wonderful time. With mild winters, we often get a head start on the gardening season. But that doesn't mean we can skip the essential spring prep! Here's a guide to getting your garden ready for the growing season.

1. Assess and Clean Up:

• Clear Debris:
  • Begin by removing any fallen leaves, branches, and dead plant material from your garden beds. This helps prevent the spread of diseases and pests.
  • Rake your lawn to remove debris and aerate the soil.
• Evaluate Winter Damage:
  • Take a walk through your garden and assess any damage caused by winter weather. Check for broken branches, frost-damaged plants, and signs of pests or diseases.
• Weed Control:
  • Early spring is the perfect time to tackle weeds before they take over. Pull weeds by hand or use a garden fork to loosen the soil and remove them. Remember that early weeding will save you time later.

2. Soil Preparation:

• Soil Testing:
  • If you haven't done so recently, consider testing your soil's pH and nutrient levels. This will help you determine what amendments your soil needs.
• Composting and Amendments:
  • Add a layer of compost or well-rotted manure to your garden beds to improve soil structure and fertility.
  • For areas with clay-heavy soil, adding organic matter is extremely important. To learn more about soil amendments, you can visit resources like those provided by West Coast Seeds, which have great information on soil preparation:
    • Preparing Garden Beds - West Coast Seeds
• Preparing Beds:
  • Loosen the soil with a garden fork or tiller, breaking up any clumps and removing rocks.

3. Planning and Planting:

• Plan Your Garden:
  • Decide what you want to grow this year. Consider your climate, soil type, and the amount of sunlight your garden receives.
  • Consider creating a garden map.
• Early Planting:
  • In our mild climate, you can start planting cool-season crops like peas, lettuce, spinach, and radishes in early spring.
  • For information on when to plant various vegetables in your region, resources like those from local garden centers are very valuable.
• Start Seeds Indoors:
  • Start seeds for warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants indoors a few weeks before the last expected frost.
• Consider Native Plants:
  • Adding native plants to your garden not only adds beauty, but also helps support local ecosystems. For more information on native plants, resources from organizations like the Nature Conservancy of Canada are great:
    • 10 ways to get your garden ready for spring - Nature Conservancy of Canada

4. Maintenance:

• Pruning:
  • Prune fruit trees and shrubs before new growth begins.
• Mulching:
  • Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
• Watering:
  • As the weather warms, begin watering your garden regularly, especially during dry spells.

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to a thriving garden this spring. Happy gardening!

Photo credit: Travis Saylor