Spring Is Knocking on the Door

Spring is Knocking on the Door

Spring is one of the most beautiful periods for gardeners. In our temperate climate, days get longer and temperatures rise. It's the beginning of the vegetative activity period for plants and animals. Vegetative spring is not determined by time, but by temperatures. The beginning of spring is marked by the onset of average daily temperatures around 5°C, and the end of spring occurs when temperatures reach a daily average of 15°C.

It's essential to equip yourself properly for spring. Be creative and inventive from early spring, and you'll reap the rewards throughout the remaining gardening year. Spring bulbs - they surprise and delight. You'll watch with interest every leaf, every flower bud that appears among the retreating snow. Small crocuses can be freely placed in your lawn. It will be a joy with every departure from home to work and every return. Spring bulbs also delight in flower pots with eye-catching and interior-pleasing covers. For example, hyacinth will decorate even a work desk. You can grow daffodils on the kitchen windowsill.

• February

Pruning trees and shrubs - is an essential part of spring preparations. This is where you can already get to work, even if snow still covers the ground. We don't prune trees during severe frosts. We rejuvenate apricot and apple trees. We use branch cutters. If we've had problems with pests, we begin spraying fruit trees against scab, mildew, codling moths and aphids. In February, we can sow gentians. We take the sown dish outside to the garden or balcony and let it get covered with snow. We also sow some perennials - especially hellebores, marigolds, lobelia, sage, etc.

Already in February, we place plastic and glass covers on beds so that the soil underneath can warm up in March for sowing early vegetables and annuals. If there are nice days, we dig beds and work in compost or fertilizers. For digging, we use suitable spades. We further prepare beds with hoes and rakes. If you have little helpers, also check out children's tools in our e-shop.

In February, it's also necessary to start paying more attention to houseplants. It's a suitable time for repotting them. With increasing light intensity, you can gradually start fertilizing plants.

• March

March is the period for sowing and planting. We engage in intensive sowing of vegetable and flower seeds. Always carefully read the seed packet, which contains instructions - when and how to pre-cultivate and sow each plant. In March, we start aerating the lawn. We care for and trim the root ball of aquatic and marsh plants. It's time to prune roses and hedges. We use efficient hedge shears. In March, we tend to overwintered balcony plants, which we trim, repot and fertilize, and gradually bring them out into the light.

We sow annuals and annual climbing plants, herbs, sweet peas and edible vegetables. We prune roses before this year's shoots appear - gradually remove the covering that protected them from winter. At the end of March we start feeding the roses.

Now is the perfect time for gradual lawn liming. Liming neutralizes the soil and prevents moss growth in the lawn. At the end of March or beginning of April, we can reseed bare patches in the lawn with a mixture designed for overseeding. As spring approaches, winter pruning of trees needs to be completed. Treat larger wounds against diseases with tree balm or grafting wax.

We finish preparing the flower beds. We prepare for direct sowing of plants and plant pre-grown seedlings. We also continue planting pre-grown seedlings in April. For pre-growing, try peat germination tablets and pots this year.

TIP: Try using a planting dibber and a garden line with string. You might think it's outdated, that you can manage the beds by eye. However, you'll ultimately appreciate the precise cooperation of hands and tools. For even rows, also try seed tapes for some types of vegetables, or a seed drill for classic seed sowing.

• April

In April, the part of the garden planted with spring bulbs is already blooming. The king of flower beds and spring bouquets is the tulip. Don't be afraid to plant more plants. The sight of a blooming garden in early spring will delight you. Gradually remove faded bulb flowers. In April, plant the remaining part of the garden - don't forget about the garden pond, which should be cleaned and planted with new plants. Water lilies and other marsh plants can also be fertilized.

If you're planning a new hedge this year, April is the perfect time, and if you're establishing a new lawn, April is exactly the right time. If you already have an established lawn from before, it's time to mow it for the first time. Mown grass can be applied as mulch around newly planted perennials, roses and ornamental shrubs. This will help retain more moisture in the bed. Aerate the lawn with a rake or aerator - verticutter. It's also a good time for planting new fruit trees.

Spring in the garden will soon be in full swing. Don't miss sowing plants this year so that you not only get flowers, but also harvest fruits during the period when they ripen best.

Author: Hana Michalíková