How to prepare your garden for the spring: what vegetables to plant and when?

How to prepare your garden for the spring: what vegetables to plant and when?

The return of good weather and warm, stable temperatures are usually a sign that it is time to celebrate spring and think about what you want to plant in the garden this year.   Carrots? A classic. Potatoes? A must! Garlic or onion? Why not the two of it! In a few weeks, the seeds that you have planted and pampered will have reached their maturity and will be ready to be picked it. So exciting, right!   To get to this stage and have the pleasure of harvesting your own organic vegetables in a well-stocked vegetable garden, a few steps are required first.

Get the right equipment

The advantage of an activity like gardening is that you don't need a myriad of tools. The perfect gear of the gardener consists mainly of a spade and a good green thumb.   Obviously, the more complete your equipment is, the easier your job will be. You want to equip yourself? Here are some items to consider in your shopping list:  

• A hoe to weed and air the earth;
• A rake or shovel to return the soil and weed quickly;
• Pruning shears for cutting dead branches and pruning small branches;
• A watering can moisten the soil without damaging the plants.
• A wheelbarrow to transport the soil and seeds.

  Remember, there is no point in spending a fortune on your gardening kit. Many of these elements can be used for different purposes.

Prepare and Maintain the Soil

If you’ve done the inventory of your equipment, it’s time to move on to the next point. Your garden must be ready to receive the seeds and seedlings that you have carefully selected. What is the procedure for making sure that it's the case?   You must first clean and clear your garden which has spent most of the winter under the snow.   Remove weeds, brew the soil to make it malleable. Add nutrients such as natural fertilizers (it’s time to get your compost out!)   Why not grow your seedlings indoors!?   Depending on what you want to plant in your garden, you can seed some plants or vegetables indoors, which will allow you to enjoy it sooner. Water them regularly and expose them to light so that they grow faster.   If you are motivated, make a plan for your garden, which will help you for the next step!  

Know your garden well  

By thinking carefully about the structure of your garden, you maximize the growth of your seeds.   Plant your vegetables according to their resistance to cold. The adage says that it is necessary to wait until the risk of frost has passed before sowing, but some plants support well the last cold of the spring. We can think of garlic, peas, spinach or lettuce.   Arrange the vegetables according to their need for light. Tall plants such as tomatoes should, for example, be planted on the back of your vegetable garden to prevent them from shading other shoots.   Place the lower seedlings such as lettuce and carrots in the foreground. And, remember to bring early vegetables such as radishes or cabbage at hand to harvest them more easily.   Learn about the specific care of your vegetables. Some need to be planted deeper or at a bigger distance due to root expansion. You should also remember that the maturity time is not the same for all your sprouts.   All these past steps, you just have to contemplate your work, with a smile on your face, with the satisfaction of knowing that in a few weeks your basket will be filled with the fruits of your labor! How do we know?   Because we prepare our own crops and cannot wait to share them with you!