🌸 Spring Gardening Checklist: What to Do and When

There’s nothing quite like the fresh, earthy smell of spring to inspire us to get our hands in the dirt and breathe new life into our gardens. Whether you're a seasoned grower or just starting your homestead journey, spring is the most important time to prepare your garden for a successful and productive season. This checklist will guide you through the essential tasks for each phase of spring, helping you stay organized and excited for the months ahead!

🌱 Early Spring (March–Early April)

1. Plan Your Garden Layout: Before you touch a trowel, spend some time planning. Decide what you want to grow, where it will go, and how much space you’ll need. Consider companion planting, crop rotation, and sunlight patterns.

2. Start Seeds Indoors: Get a jump on the season by starting seeds inside for tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and other heat-loving plants. Make sure they have plenty of light and warmth to thrive.

3. Clean Up Beds and Tools: Remove dead leaves, weeds, and debris from garden beds. Sanitize pots and sharpen your pruners, shovels, and shears so they’re ready to go.

4. Prep Your Soil: Test your soil for pH and nutrients. Add compost, aged manure, or other amendments to enrich it. Turning the soil now gives time for nutrients to settle before planting.

5. Prune Shrubs and Perennials: Trim back winter damage and shape bushes and perennials before they start actively growing.

🌼 Mid Spring (Mid-April–May)

6. Harden Off Seedlings: Gradually introduce your indoor seedlings to the outdoors over a week to toughen them up before transplanting.

7. Direct Sow Cold-Tolerant Crops: Now’s the time to sow things like peas, radishes, spinach, kale, and carrots directly into the ground.

8. Plant Fruit Trees and Shrubs: If you’ve been dreaming of a backyard orchard or berry patch, spring is the perfect time to plant. Give them a good soak and plenty of mulch to help establish roots.

9. Mulch Beds: Lay down mulch to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and give your garden a tidy appearance. Avoid piling it too close to stems and trunks.

10. Set Up Supports: Install trellises, tomato cages, or bean poles before plants grow too large. It’s easier now than trying to stake them later!

🌻 Late Spring (May–Early June)

11. Transplant Warm-Season Crops: Once the danger of frost is gone, you can safely transplant tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and other warm-weather crops.

12. Monitor for Pests: Start scouting for aphids, cutworms, and other early pests. Use natural deterrents like neem oil or encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.

13. Water Wisely: Keep an eye on moisture levels, especially for newly planted seedlings. Early deep watering builds stronger roots.

14. Feed Hungry Plants: Now that your garden is growing, consider a light feeding with compost tea or a slow-release organic fertilizer.

15. Celebrate the Growth: Take a moment to enjoy the progress you've made. Spring can feel like a whirlwind, but it’s also a season of immense joy and beauty.

🌿 Final Thoughts

Spring is the season of potential, and with a thoughtful checklist, you can turn that potential into a thriving, bountiful garden. By breaking tasks into manageable steps and spreading them across the spring months, you’ll avoid burnout and feel more connected to your garden every step of the way.

Whether you’re planting your first seed or your hundredth, remember—every garden grows better with love, intention, and a little dirt under the nails.