Back
Prepare your garden for a productive spring with this practical checklist. It’s designed for home gardeners who want to clear winter debris, improve soil, start seeds, and prevent pests before planting season.
Progress
0 / 19
- Remove dead plant material from beds — Cut back perennials, pull spent annuals; compost healthy debris and discard diseased material.
- Clear weeds and old mulch — Pull deep-rooted weeds and rake away compacted old mulch to expose soil.
- Test soil pH and nutrients — Collect samples from multiple spots and use a kit or lab for accurate results.
- Amend soil with compost and organic matter — Spread 2–3 inches of compost and work into the top 6–8 inches of soil.
- Turn and refresh the compost pile — Aerate, check moisture, and balance greens and browns for active composting.
- Repair and prepare raised beds — Replace rotten boards, tighten brackets, and top-dress with fresh planting mix.
- Plan and lay out planting schedule and seed-start dates — Decide what to grow where and note indoor sowing and transplant dates.
- Check local last frost date and create a seed calendar — Use your frost date to back-calculate indoor sow and outdoor transplant dates.
- Sketch garden layout and allocate crops — Mark bed locations, rotations, and companion planting spots on a simple map.
- Call utility locates before digging or building beds — Request local utility markings to avoid damaging underground lines.
- Inspect and sharpen garden tools — Sharpen blades, oil hinges, and repair handles for safer, cleaner cuts.
- Clean and sanitize pots, trays, and seed flats — Wash with mild bleach solution or hot soapy water to prevent disease carryover.
- Start seeds indoors per your schedule — Use labeled trays, proper light, and consistent moisture for strong seedlings.
- Inspect irrigation and drip lines for winter damage — Flush lines, repair leaks, and replace worn connectors before watering season.
- Set mower height and perform first lawn cleanup — Rake debris, set a high cut for first mow, and check mower blade sharpness.
- Install supports and trellises for climbing plants — Secure stakes, cages, or trellises now to avoid disturbing roots later.
- Mulch around perennials and newly planted beds — Apply 2 inches of mulch, leaving crowns exposed to prevent rot.
- Set up a pest prevention plan and monitoring — Identify likely pests, place traps, and plan organic controls ahead of time.
- Tidy pathways and remove debris — Clear walkways to improve access and reduce pest hiding spots.
Your Stats
🏆
0
Completed
📅
—
Last Done
⏱️
—
Last Time
Completion Rate
Items checked per run
⚡
—
Fastest Run
🔥
0
Streak
🚫
—
Most Skipped Step
🔄
0
Resets
📝 My Notes