Daffodils are beginning to bloom, buds are swelling, and snowdrops and Lenten rose are already brightening our gardens. It’s hard not to feel the urge to get outside—cleaning up beds, adding compost and mulch, and maybe tucking in a few new plants.
As you start planning your spring gardening tasks, here are a few tips to guide you.
Start with a plan
Early spring is a great time to think about what you’d like to divide or move, and where you might add something new. If you’re looking to expand your plant palette, consider tried-and-true performers that deer tend to avoid like ‘Black Dragon’ Japanese cedar, Russian sage, ‘Husker’s Red’ beardstongue, ‘Feather Falls’ sedge, ‘Paisley Pup’ leucothoe, hypericum, or ‘Spice Baby’ viburnum.
Prep your tools
Make sure pruners and spades are clean and sharp before you begin. Many perennials can be divided now—just be sure each division has three to five healthy shoots. Keep in mind that some plants, such as false indigo, prefer not to be disturbed and should only be divided if necessary. When in doubt, check plant-specific recommendations before lifting and splitting.
Feed thoughtfully
If woody plants struggled last year, early spring is a good time for a modest application of fertilizer. Follow label directions carefully and consider organic options—there are many excellent choices available.
Decide how you want to clean up
- If you left perennial stems and fallen leaves in place over winter, you may wish to wait until nighttime temperatures are consistently in the 50s before cutting back growth. This gives overwintering pollinators time to emerge. When you do cut stems, consider chopping them into 8–18″ pieces and letting them rest on the soil as natural mulch, creating habitat for beneficial insects.
- Supporting native invertebrates—especially pollinators—strengthens our local ecosystem. Birds rely heavily on insects for food, so gardening with habitat in mind helps sustain the wildlife many of us love to see and hear.
- For those who prefer a more polished look, you can clear away last year’s growth, top-dress beds with a thin layer of compost, and apply mulch—generally 1–1½” around perennials and 2–3″ around trees and shrubs. If your beds were cleaned up last fall, a light refresh of compost and mulch may be all that’s needed.
- You might also consider blending approaches: keep high-visibility areas near entries and outdoor living spaces more manicured, while managing less prominent spaces for pollinator habitat.
- And if you have underused lawn areas, spring is the perfect time to rethink them. Converting turf into planting beds reduces mowing and creates opportunities for trees, shrubs, and perennials that bring beauty—and ecological benefits—for years to come.
In conclusion
With a little planning and a thoughtful approach, spring gardening can set the stage for a landscape that looks beautiful, supports local wildlife, and thrives throughout the season.
‘Black Dragon’ Japanese cedar (photo: Pleasant Run Nursery)
Russian sage (photo: fast-growing-trees.com)
‘Husker’s Red’ beardstongue (photo: MyGardenLife)
’Feather Falls’ sedge (photo: American Meadows)
‘Paisley Pup’ leucothoe (photo: Spring Meadow Nursery)
’Spice Baby’ viburnum (photo: Landmark Nursery and Landscaping)
