Getting Ready for Spring: Top Ten Gardening Tasks For Your To Do List

Do you want to be fully prepared to begin your spring vegetable and fruit garden?  Here's you check list for a successful start to the 2011 gardening season:

1. Learn from History - consider what was successful last year and what was not and adjust accordingly.  For example, if you just can't seem to get Moon & Stars watermelon to work, consider a variety with a shorter growing season or consider substituting a different type of melon or vegetable.  If you planted tomatoes in too shady and area, consider where in your garden they might do better etc.
   
2. Plan Your Garden - This is my favorite "task" on the list.  Each year I keep some varieties and trade-out others for new ones.  Look at the amount of space you have and the length of your growing season.  If you're clever you can plant several crops in the same space over time.  For example, radishes can be planted very early in the season and harvested in under 30 days.  You can then plant another crop in the same place.  The same is true of potatoes which can be followed by corn which is a warm weather crop.
3. Order Your Seeds - If you saved seeds from last year, you already have what you need on hand.  But if you are not a seed saver or want to try a new variety, make a list and then place your order.
   
4. Test Your Soil - you can do this yourself or send a soil sample to a professional testing service.  Either way, good soil is the key to success in the garden.
   
5. Plan/Build New Infrastructure - Consider what needs to be repaired and replaced.  Consider what you would like to add to your garden.  If you are thinking about adding a raised bed, you may want to lay black mulching fabric over the area where you will put your bed to kill turf and weeds.  You'll also need to buy lumber and hardware for the project.  If you would like to add bees or chickens to your "farm," you should do the research on what equipment is needed and when you need to add these to your garden.  If there are bee keeping or poultry raising classes in your area, consider enrolling in these.
   
6.  Buy or Build a Composter - Grass clippings, leaves, kitchen scraps all can be composted to enrich your soil.  You can buy a composter from a garden store or easily build your own.
7. Clean Terracotta Pots - If you didn't do this in the Fall, you should do this before planting in the spring.  Use a ten to one mixture of water to bleach to sterilize the pots, then wash thoroughly and let dry.
8. Prune Fruit Trees - fruit trees should be pruned while they are still dormant.
9. Tools - Clean and sharpen any tools that need TLC.
10. Order Magazines/Books/Videos - There are many books and magazines available to help you with your garden.  In some cases, they are very specialized and can be a great resource if you are trying to do something for the first time.