Spring Gardening Tips

Our Tips for Spring Gardening

As spring gets closer, it's important to get ready for the first phase of the gardening season. While this can be quite exciting for those of us with a green thumb, it can also bring some stress. After all, taking care of a garden has lots of steps, and skipping just one can leave you with wilted plants in the summer heat. Fortunately, Moon Valley Nurseries has you covered. We know all the tips and tricks for cultivating a garden, even in the most arid climates in the United States. Our team works with customers in California, Arizona, Texas, Nevada, and Florida, so we know a thing or two about creating a thriving garden in harsh climates. Here are our spring gardening tips for starting off the right foot:

Get Cleaning

Spring cleaning isn't just for the indoors! Rake your lawn to remove any leaves, dried foliage, or loose debris that might have found its way onto your property. This is also a good time to clean your patio or porch and prep your outdoor living space for furniture. Last but not least, don't forget to give a little TLC to your hardscaping. Wipe down any fences and make sure pathways, rock features, and water fountains are all clear of debris. Once you have a clean slate, it will be much easier to get your garden started!

Keep a Timetable

If your garden is home to a wide range of plants, it's a good idea to keep a timetable of when each should be planted. Some flowers and veggies do best in the early spring, while summer bloomers will need to be planted later. If you like to stay organized, you may want to create a list or spreadsheet of each of your flowers, shrubs, and trees and when they should be planted.

Tool Maintenance Is Crucial

After a winter in storage, it's time to break out your gardening tools! However, some of those tools might need a little maintenance to get them back in proper shape. Be sure to sharper your pruners, sand down wooden handles, and throw away anything that's beyond repair.

Shop for New Additions

It's never too early to shop for new additions to your backyard oasis! Whether you're only looking for one new desert tree or you want a few more flowers for a raised bed, be sure to choose your plants early. The team at Moon Valley Nurseries would be happy to help you find the perfect fit for your garden. We specialize in drought-resistant plants for the arid Southwest, but we're glad to point you to any plants that might fit your aesthetic. You'll find all of the following at our plant and tree nursery:

• Palm trees
• Fast growers
• Evergreen trees
• Flowering trees
• Citrus and fruit trees
• Desert trees
• Specimen trees
• Shrubs
• Cacti and agave
• Vines
• Ground covers
• Hedges

Start Veggies Early

Many popular garden vegetables need planted in the early spring. Veggies like peas and artichokes do well in the early spring, so it's important to be proactive about your planting. Potatoes and some lettuces also grow best in cooler soil and should be ready to eat in the early summer. If you're a beginner vegetable gardener, don't forget to plant those veggies at the first sign of spring!

Don't Neglect Your Lawn

Oftentimes, we get so preoccupied with flower beds and fledging trees that we forget about the lawn itself. While the lawn may not be the focal point of your outdoor space, a trimmed lawn will make a big difference to the appearance of your property. Make sure your lawnmower is in good shape, and do a few passes across your front and backyard. Seed bare spots in your lawn or choose zeroscaping options that minimize water use.

Fertilizer Is Your Friend

With just a quick Google search, you'll find countless fertilizers all claiming to be the best way to grow a thriving garden. But how useful is fertilizer, really? Fertilizer provides plants with essential nutrients that help them grow bigger and healthier. And when you shop at Moon Valley Nurseries, you won't have to sort through dozens of fertilizer options. We carry our own line of fertilizers, and our team members would be happy to point you to the best product. Add fertilizer to your garden just as your plants are beginning to bloom.

Lay Plenty of Mulch

Mulch is a great way to keep your garden looking polished in the spring and summer months. Not only does mulch give a finished look to your yard, but it also helps the soil retain moisture and keep your plants healthy and fed. If you're worried about weeks taking hold in the garden, that's yet another reason spread fresh mulch. Be sure to place mulch evenly (but not too thickly) around your plants.

Don't Forget to Prune

As spring presses on, it's essential to prune your trees and shrubs as necessary. Many plants need pruning at the beginning of spring, but summer-blooming plants might be able to wait until later in the season. If you're not sure when your plants need pruning, don't hesitate to reach out to Moon Valley Nurseries. We're experienced with tree maintenance and professional planting services, and our team can give you reliable advice.

Try Composting

We recommend starting a compost pile where you can collect plant debris and dead leaves. Try to compost equal amounts of brown (dried leaves) and green (weeds) plant debris. If you find larger pieces, chop them up to speed up the decomposition process. Composting as much as possible is a fantastic way to enrich your garden's soil, hold in moisture, and repel pests and plant diseases.

Get Ready for Deadheading Season

Toward the end of spring, you'll want to deadhead your seasonal flowers. Cut off spent blooms and make room for next year's blossoms. However, you should always try to deadhead as late as possible. Wait until the foliage has dried up on its own before removing the withered areas.

Visit Moon Valley Nurseries Today

As you gear up for spring planting season, be sure you have all your ducks in a row. Moon Valley Nurseries is happy to help you prepare for a beautiful spring garden. If you need some help finding the perfect addition to your landscape or want to invest in professional maintenance services, our team is here to help. We're well-versed in a range of landscape design services, and we'll help make your Southwestern garden one for the scrapbook. Contact us today.