Life-glowing season ! odour-breathing Spring !
Deck'd in cerulean splendours !–vivid,–warm,
Shedding soft lustre on the rosy hours,
And calling forth their beauties ! balmy Spring !
To thee the vegetating world begins
To pay fresh homage.
-Mary Darby Robinson

Finally the snow has melted from the ground and the first hints of spring are around us. The ground is finally visible, there are tiny blades of grass and I can actually see the perennials in my garden. How about you? The way March kept playing hide and seek with snaps of cold temperatures, I thought spring would never arrive and we were destined to wear long sleeves, sweaters and socks forever. But, here it is; at last bringing back the lovely spring like weather to look forward to and enjoy.

And for those of us waiting to get out and dig our fingers in the wet soil, it's the perfect time to start getting ready for the warmer seasons. To help get your garden in shape for spring, here are a few tips to help you get prepared.

Landscaping? New design?

This is an ideal time to take stock of your garden as a whole. Do you fancy a new layout or want to plant different flowers this year? Would you like to plant perennials or annuals? Make a list of all the possible options.

Check up on garden tools

Now is a good time to make sure your tools are in good working order. Inspect hosepipes, rakes and shovels, trowels - and sharpen the blades on clippers and the lawn mower. Buy garden gloves, planters, seeds etc Consider what new equipment you may want to add this season and look out for good deals in the market

Inspect the Soil

Good soil is essential to the success of all gardens, so before planting anything, be sure to tend to your soil. Look for earthworms as a sign of healthy soil; the good drainage they provide is an essential component of good soil. Compost and peat are good additions to almost any planting bed.

Shrub maintenance

Take a look at your shrubs and trees - are they past their prime? Consider replacing them with younger, healthier shrubs. Keep in mind the following
Make sure the shrubs you plant will not spread and outgrow into other plants
Make sure that they get adequate sunlight
Avoid planting shrubs on sunny days; plant on cloudy days or early evenings.Plant the shrubs slightly above soil level and cover any exposed roots with mulch instead of soil.

Weed prevention

Taking precautions against weeds now can save you time and heartache later in the year. Give yourself time each day when strolling in the garden to pull out old weeds. It's a good idea to add new mulch on top of old, decaying mulch.

Plant annual seeds indoors

Once these germinate make sure they get plenty of light by placing them in a sunny window.At the same time keep saplings too in the same way Wait until the threat of frost has passed before planting them outside.

Communication

An invaluable resource for beginning gardeners is other gardeners. Gardeners tend to be passionate, and love to help guide you down the garden path. Talk to your friends. Visit the gardens of friends you admire. Find a greenhouse or nursery in your neighborhood with a knowledgeable staff and talk to them. And then as my African Dance instructor says listen to the earth, and revel in the joys that Nature has to offer to you.

Would you like to share some of your gardening tips and experiences and pictures of your garden.Send them to editors@lokvani.com.Check out our new contributors guidelines on our front page

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