Outdoor Garden Projects for Spring and Summer

Outdoor Garden Projects for Spring and Summer

The arrival of warmer months inspires many to get back in their gardens. You might share this impulse.

If so, consider finishing these projects early before moving on to other gardening tasks. You’re much more likely to cultivate healthy, thriving plants this season if you prepare accordingly.

Specifically, during the early days of spring and summer, focus on these jobs.

Clean Drainage Ditches

Your spring seedlings need soil that drains adequately. Thus, you should check your drainage ditches to ensure they’re clear of debris.

Don’t make the mistake of throwing out organic material you collect, such as dead leaves and twigs. These should be used for composting.

Make Repairs

Some of your garden features may be in a state of disrepair after winter. Check raised beds, trellises, and fencing for any signs of damage. Make the necessary repairs now. It’s much easier to use a multi tool fitted with oscillating tool blades to fix up your trellis now than it is to do so after planting.

Prep Your Garden Beds

When the soil is relatively dry, you can top dress your garden beds with a layer of compost. You should also check the pH of your soil. There are several different products available for this purpose, as well as products you can use to adjust your soil’s pH if it’s too alkaline or acidic. Experts at your local garden center will also be happy to suggest the right items for your soil’s needs.

This is also a good time to prep the rest of the yard for spring and summer. Rake away any debris that accumulated over the course of winter to encourage grass growth. You should also inspect your plants for dead growth, pruning it away when you find it. Just be careful not to disturb any new growth during the process.

Protect Vegetable and Flower Seedlings

There are many steps you can take to protect your vegetable and flower seedlings during the crucial early months of growth.

One is to pay attention to temperatures. In early spring, it’s still possible to experience cold nights, during which frost may cover the ground. This can kill seedlings. If you’re expecting frost, protect them by covering your seedlings with overturned buckets.

Inspect your seedlings for evidence of slugs as well. If you find any, there is a wide range of organic removal options, including surrounding plants with copper tape (it delivers a mild electric shock that wards slugs off), opting not to use loose mulch (this can be composted instead).

Using drip irrigation (which ensures foliage is dry, and thus unattractive to slugs).

Cabbage moth is another pest to be aware of. Protect your seedlings by applying barrier paper around their stem bases.

Support Shrubs and Trees

Early spring is often the ideal time of year to prune fruit trees. Your goal is to prune thoroughly before plants bloom, otherwise the tree will be overburdened.

That said, if you use a pole pruner or electric grass trimmer, inspect the tool before use. Using something with failing components can be dangerous.

You may also have some shrubs to transplant. Do this in early spring as well. The soil will be moist enough to support robust growth.

If you have any ornamental shrubs or trees, apply dormant horticultural oil to them regularly. This guards against common pests.

Most importantly, enjoy yourself. Gardening is one of the most rewarding hobbies a person can experience. It’s much more likely to be if you take these essential steps early in the season.

We hope you have found the Outdoor Garden Projects for Spring and Summer helpful. If you are new to gardening check out our gardening tips for beginners.