The keys to a successful garden are planning and preparation. With proper planning, you can head into spring with a garden bed that is clean, healthy, and ready for planting. And even though winter is not a time of growth, it’s not devoid of opportunities to improve your garden. From gathering your landscape supplies to clearing the garden beds, winter is the ideal time to get your garden ready for spring. Here, Ideal Supplies in Covington, KY, shares with you some helpful garden preparation tasks that you can tackle in the winter.

6 Things You Can Do in Winter to Prepare for a Spring Garden

1. Get Things Cleaned Up

Remove all dead vegetation leftover at the end of the harvesting season. Getting rid of it will keep pests and rodents from taking up residence in your garden over the winter. Also, look for any plants affected by mold and mildew. They are unhealthy for your garden and should be removed immediately. Be sure not to place them in your compost pile, as it will only contaminate it and potentially cause damage to any new plants. Lastly, gather up any stray landscape supplies and store them for the winter.

2. Test the Soil

Performing a soil test in the winter will help determine if you will need to apply additives to give the garden more nutrients. The results of the test will show you how much lime and fertilizer to apply to your soil.

3. Expand

If you are looking to add new plants in the spring, winter is a great time to expand your garden. Extend your existing garden bed or perhaps add a new bed to another area of the yard. You could even try building some raised beds to give your landscape a new look.

4. Create a Map

Creating a map will provide you with a general idea of where you’d like to place new plants. Take into account light exposure, soil conditions, and water sources when deciding where plants will go. Heading into spring with a map will help you avoid wasting precious time at the beginning of this season trying to find the ideal spot for everything.

5. Order & Inventory Your Seeds

Don’t delay on ordering your seeds. You may face a shortage if you wait too long to place your order. Once the seeds arrive, make a log and inventory each item so that you’ll know what you have and what else you may need.

6. Gather Your Supplies

Winter is the best time to round up all your landscape supplies. Take stock of what you have and make a list of items you will need to purchase. Gathering these supplies now is another surefire way to make sure you’re ready to go once the planting season begins.

With proper preparation in the winter, you can head into spring ready to jump into action. For the latest in landscape supplies, turn to Ideal Supplies. This trusted hardware store carries the most comprehensive inventory of landscape and hardware supplies in the area. Call them at (859) 491-6666. You can also visit their website for more information.