Spring is almost upon us and I am eagerly and impatiently awaiting signs of nature’s bountiful beauty. Currently, I live in USDA Planting Zone 6B, so planting anything at this point would be inadvisable for me. However, I have begun sprucing up my garden a bit. I would like to share several helpful tips to aid you in preparing your garden for the upcoming growing season:

–  Clear up any fallen limbs, leaves and other plant material. Also remove dead suckers and  wood from shrubs and trees (I generally add them to my compost pile)

–  Prune and fertilize blackberry and raspberry shrubs with organic fertilizer or compost

–  Clean your house gutters (I have a rain barrel, so this aids in directing the water without  any hassles and prevents unwanted pest damage)

– Fertilize your lawn to encourage healthy growth and prevent weeds (I typically use cornmeal) and reseed any dead patches

– Fertilize evergreen and deciduous shrubs such as rhododendrons and roses

–  Divide perennials

–  Plant summer bulbs such as dahlias and gladiolus (after danger of frost)

–  Plant new trees and shrubs

–  Check your property for signs of pest damage such as mole or gopher holes

–  Thoroughly clean birdhouses and bird baths for new inhabitants

–  Vigorously clean all pots, planters and garden tools to remove dead debris and soil.

–   Prep your established planting areas by amending your soil with compost or other organic fertilizer and applying newspapers and mulch to established beds to discourage weed growth.