We are already in spring and that shows, in addition to the temperatures that the thermometer marks, increasingly warmer, in the splendor that the plants in your garden begin to show. At first this change will be timid, but with time will begin to grow, to flourish, waking up from the lethargy of winter.
And to make the spring magic work the miracle in your garden, it is important that you give it some care. Take note of the tasks that you should do as soon as possible.
Plant new specimens to brighten up your garden
The beginning of spring is the best time to plant, since the temperatures are not yet too high and the plants will suffer less in this process of rooting in the ground. The roots are now less likely to dry out.
You can plant new shrubs, perennials and annuals such as petunias or tagetes, which will bloom throughout the spring filling the space with colour.
It is also a good time to transplant your plants from a pot to a larger container, in case they need it.
Fertilize the substrate
Garden soil is one of the elements that makes your plants grow splendidly, thanks to the nutrients it contains. When these elements are scarce, it is essential to enrich the substrate by fertilizing it, especially in spring, which is when your plants need it the most.
A good idea is to provide organic matter to the soil, a natural option that plants assimilate very well: manure, compost or others.
Use chemical fertilizers
Sometimes plants in the garden need a good dose of energy and chemical fertilizers, produced in the laboratory, are very effective thanks to the high concentration of nutrients they contain.
They allow us to choose specific options, more accurate for certain types of plants, and they usually act quickly. Various presentations exist:
- Slow release granules. They contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, three essential components for plants, as well as other micronutrients that feed and strengthen them. They are provided on a regular basis and are released over time.
- Liquid fertilizers, with immediate effect. They dissolve in irrigation water, so they are very easy for plants to assimilate.
When using this type of fertilizer, it is essential to follow the instructions indicated by the manufacturer, as well as respect the recommended doses. Exceeding the amount can be very harmful to your plants.
Check and take care of the lawn
If you want to enjoy a great meadow starting in the next few weeks and throughout the summer, you need to check your lawn now and fix any problems it may have.
You must check that it does not have bald spots or less dense areas. If this happens, you can provide seeds in these areas to replant. The procedure is simple and will not take much time:
- Start by preparing the soil of these less populated areas by hollowing it out with a hoe. Remove any weeds and stones you may find.
- Provides the soil with organic matter to enrich it.
- Spread the seeds and cover them with a light layer of substrate.
- In reseeded areas it is important to compact the soil.
- Finish watering the meadow generously.
If you perform this process properly, you will see how the grass begins to sprout within a period of about 10 or 15 days.
Now is the time to start mowing the lawn once a week, a chore you will have until next winter.
Reproduce the plants by seeds
Spring is the perfect time to reproduce your plants to multiply the beauty of your garden. To achieve this you have various methods, one of which is to do it through seeds.
Sow them in trays or small containers and cover them with substrate, spraying with water to hydrate them. Place the seedlings in a shady area and make sure they have enough moisture until they germinate.
When the seedlings have grown a bit and have roots, they will do well to move them to a sunnier location until they are developed enough to transplant into garden soil.
Plant new cuttings
In addition to reproducing your plants by seed, spring is a good time to do it also through cuttings, a simple and effective method to multiply them and get a lush garden.
The cutting is a part of a stem or branch of a plant that is cut in the appropriate way, with some buds, and introduced in a pot with soil so that it takes root. To achieve this, some of the buds must remain buried and others in the air, so that they can produce new stems.
Before planting the cutting it is advisable to spray the part that is buried with a substance containing rooting hormones.
Place the pot in the shade and keep the soil moist until your cutting develops into a strong plant and you can move it into the garden soil.
Increase irrigation frequency
In spring, temperatures are getting higher every day and it becomes necessary to establish new irrigation guidelines in the garden, increasing the frequency and amount of water.
It is essential to check the irrigation systems to check that they have not deteriorated in winter, whether your garden is small and has drip irrigation, or if it is larger and ** irrigation is by sprinkler.**
Check that circuits and sprinklers are working correctly, as well as the programmer that helps you automate irrigation and free yourself, at least in part, from an essential task for the garden. In case you need an automated irrigation system, you can request an estimate.
Get rid of weeds in your garden
They rob plants of nutrients from the substrate and the water they need to thrive. They can even attract pests and diseases, so killing them should become one of the goals at this time of year.
Although the use of herbicides is a good alternative to control the appearance of weeds, we must be cautious when using them, since they are still chemical compounds that can contaminate the land and also attack to the other plants.
Try to kill weeds with a suitable herbicide, especially in the grass meadow, starting in May. If possible, use selective products that attack a specific type of weeds and are less harmful to the garden. If you don’t feel confident doing it yourself, be sure to hire experts on the subject. Us, for example.
Monitor the appearance of pests and diseases
Heat and humidity are two elements that, combined, make your garden the best setting for the appearance of certain diseases and the attack of some insects that can harm your plants.
To avoid it as far as possible you must be vigilant and observe the specimens in your garden. This way you can detect the problem as soon as possible and solve it effectively in the shortest possible time.
Watch out for bugs, something really unavoidable when temperatures rise. If your plants are attacked by a pest such as mealybug, aphid or spider mite, you will need to apply an appropriate insecticide.
Fungi, such as powdery mildew for example, are also a frequent evil in spring. They attack the plants and weaken them, so it is necessary to use a fungicide to end the problem.
