Spring flower planting advice

During the winter, we usually tend to neglect our gardens to a certain extent. Not only is this due to the fact that the weather is cold and unpleasant, but it can also make the soil impossible to deal with. The cold weather can make the soil particularly hard and, if it snows, you will certainly not be able to do any gardening. Unless you have your own greenhouse where temperatures and conditions are maintained, your flower planting and gardening activities will be put on hold until spring.

The first thing you will need to do when planning to do some gardening in spring is to select your favourite flowers. It’s not only about what you prefer but also what will survive in your garden. You will then need to choose between seeds and seedlings. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. Seedlings will cost more but they have already taken root. You will simply need to make sure that they are properly cared for and transplanted into your garden at the right time. Seeds, on the other hand, need to be cultivated from scratch. This means that you will need to plant each seed, care for it, and wait to see how many grow. Some will sprout only to perish while others will not germinate at all. This is why it is so important to plant plenty of seeds. In most cases, germination takes about six weeks.

If you have pets like a dog or cat, you should keep your seedlings far out of their reach. Animals have a habit of digging and your cat could easily mistake a pot of soil for their litter box. Set aside a special area on your patio or a sheltered part of your garden and block your animals from accessing this area.

You should also consider the weather conditions when choosing your plants. Every year brings differences in temperatures and we never know when winter will really end. Sometimes it can get fairly warm before temperatures drop abruptly for one last icy salute. This is why it is best to wait a few weeks once the weather has warmed up before you begin planting. You want the soil to be properly warmed and not frozen from the winter.

If you are buying larger plants that you would like to plant directly in your garden, you should wait until later in the spring season. Warmer weather is best for these larger plants because they generally do not do well if temperatures drop too low. Remember, it’s not only about the temperatures during the day, but also how cold it gets at night.

Finally, you should make some kind of map of your garden and document the various conditions. Some areas might receive more direct sunlight, other areas could be shady. The conditions in various areas will help guide your plant and flower choice. You can also make the most of potted plants which can be moved to an indoor patio where it can enjoy mild temperatures during the winter. The plant can then be moved out again once the weather warms up.