How to get your garden ready for spring: 4 To Do's and Tips
It has been cold and uncomfortable for a long time, the garden has been in hibernation and some of you may have been longing for the start of spring in recent weeks and months. Finally the projects we forged in the winter can be implemented in the garden! Finally being outside again!
When the time has come, the first early flowers are peeking out of the ground and the trees are slowly turning green again, the question arises as to what gardening work needs to be done now and how you can prepare the garden for the coming season. Therefore, in this article we will tell you four important to‐dos to get your garden ready for spring.
1. To Do: Pruning of perennials and grasses
Gone are the days when grasses and perennials were neatly pruned before winter, leaving behind an empty, bleak garden. They provide structure to the garden even in their dried state, offer shelter for insects over the winter, and their seed heads look simply beautiful with a little snow on them. This way, the garden retains its charm even in the cold season.
While it was possible to relax and let the garden be in the fall, the time for spring cleaning arrives at the end of February/beginning of March (depending on the region) - the new gardening year begins!
Before the strong new growth of the plants, everything should be trimmed back. Otherwise, there is a risk of damaging the young growth.
It would be optimal to collect the clippings in one spot in the garden until April and to only shred it later. This way, nesting insects have the opportunity to start into spring relaxed. The accumulated cuttings, preferably without seed heads and weeds, can then be further processed into mulch with a shredder.
Which mulch is suitable for what?
Depending on what exactly you shred, you can use the resulting mulch for different applications:
- You can use coarser mulch from larger prunings, for example, as frost protection for plants or for clean walkways. It also protects the soil from drying out and reduces weed growth.
- Shredded material from stems and leaves is well-suited as fertilizer for beds.
For shredding, we use the Einhell electric knife shredder GC-KS 2540 CB. With the practical collection box located directly under the shredder, distribution is even easier. It holds up to 55 liters of shredded material.
If you want the shredded material to decompose optimally in the compost, a roller shredder such as the electric silent shredder GC-RS 60 CB is also recommended. This essentially crushes the branch and breaks down the fiber, thereby accelerating the decomposition process.
It should also be noted that the beds should ideally be free of weeds before mulching. Those who are diligent in removing weeds in February or March usually benefit from it throughout the year.
2. To Do: Pruning of trees and shrubs
Another important task in spring is the pruning of trees and shrubs, including roses. According to the German Federal Nature Conservation Act, intensive pruning of woody plants and trees is only allowed in Germany until the end of February. After that, the breeding season of birds begins, and they must be protected and preserved. Summer-flowering trees such as butterfly bush, bluebeard, and panicle hydrangea should be pruned early in the year, while early-flowering trees such as lilac or forsythia should be pruned after their bloom. For most trees and shrubs that can tolerate pruning, the rule is: the stronger the pruning, the stronger the new growth. This also applies to roses and fruit trees.
But which devices are suitable for which woody plant?
- For small to medium-sized hedges, the cordless hedge trimmer ARCURRA 18/55 is a great choice. It is a powerful all-rounder with a cutting length of 55 cm and up to 2,700 cuts per minute.
- If you have larger hedges at home, the cordless hedge trimmer GE-CH 18/60 might be for you.
- A comfortable alternative to a handheld pruning saw or garden shears is the cordless pruning shear GE-LS 18 Li-Solo. It cuts branches up to a thickness of 28 millimeters. For sturdy bushes, shrubs, and dense trees, the cordless pruning saw GE-GS 18/150 Li-Solo is your best bet.
3. To Do: Scarify the lawn
Your lawn also needs some attention after the winter. Usually, unsightly patches have formed over the winter months and moss and weeds have been able to spread unhindered. In the spring, these flaws are tackled. By scarifying, you loosen the upper layer of the lawn, allowing it to better absorb nutrients and water from the soil. At the same time, you rid the lawn of unwanted weeds, moss, and old clippings. We use the cordless scarifier-aerator GC-SC 18/28 Li with a 5.2 Ah battery. With this, we can easily work on 200m² of lawn with one battery charge.
But how exactly does scarifying work, what do you need to consider, and what does aerating mean? There is already a detailed guide with the best tips on our Einhell blog.
4. To Do: Planting
March and April are the best months for planting so that your garden can grow to its full potential later on. As soon as the ground is no longer frozen and the temperatures rise, the first perennials and shrubs of the year can move into the garden. The cordless earth auger GP-EA 18/150 Li BL makes soil drilling easier for you. With it, you can drill holes up to 80 cm deep, making it easy to plant small trees, for example.
Also, annual flowers such as summer flowers can now be prepared in a bright south-facing window, under artificial light, or in a greenhouse. If you want to sow directly into the open ground, you should wait until mid to late May, after the last frost date for many varieties. Be careful when choosing a spot for planting as some perennials may not have sprouted yet, and you may accidentally damage them while digging.
Therefore, as a bonus tip, we have one more suggestion that can greatly simplify your gardening work:
Bonus tip: Take pictures of all your flower beds at different times of the year. This way, you always know what is growing where and where you could possibly plant more flower bulbs in the fall.
Conclusion: Start early - with the right tools
With the right approach, you can easily get your garden in shape for the new season in spring. And thanks to the Power X-Change battery system, you can easily and wirelessly get your garden up to speed. You can use the batteries for all your devices and switch between them as needed - depending on which to-do is on your agenda.
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Published on 11.03.2022
From professional to professional: With their expertise in garden care, our garden specialists help you create your perfect green oasis. Daniel Welschenbach is a freelance blogger and a passionate hobby gardener. Whether it's lawn care, hedge trimming, or irrigation – in his blog posts, you'll find all the essential information about Einhell devices for the garden and terrace.