While it might not seem like there's much happening in your garden at this time of year, winter is actually an important time for gardeners. This is when you should prepare for the burst of growth most plants will undergo in the spring by providing fertilizer and getting ready to plant. Here are a few steps you can take before the weather warms up for a spectacular landscape and garden this year.

Gardening Tips to Get Ready for Spring

1. Prune Your Trees

Any time from late winter to very early spring is perfect for pruning your trees. This helps train them into healthy, attractive shapes that will withstand storm winds without damage. It's especially important for fruit trees because fruit only grows on the new twigs that the tree produces in spring. If you trim the tree back before it blossoms, you encourage it to grow more new twigs in accessible areas.

2. Apply Fertilizer

Most plants grow quickly in the spring, so they need a lot of nutrients to stay healthy. For areas of green, leafy growth, such as your lawn and any shrubs, use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. For blossoming plants and trees, you want a formula with extra phosphorus for plentiful, healthy blooms. 

3. Sort Bulbs & Seeds

You should usually get your bulbs into the ground in the fall, but if you couldn't this year, you can still get them started before spring. Remove any shriveled or rotted bulbs, then plant the remaining healthy ones in pots that are well-covered outdoors.

Next, go through any seeds you have remaining from previous years. You can test whether they're still good by sprouting a small batch in a seed tray indoors. Once you have a good idea of what seeds you have on hand that you can still use, you'll be able to decide what gardening supplies you still need to buy.

For fertilizer and other supplies to prepare your garden for spring, visit Racine's Feed Garden & Supply in Robertsdale, AL. This family-owned Baldwin County store has the area's biggest range of garden and livestock supplies as well as plants and trees. Their friendly, knowledgeable staff will help you find everything you need. Call (251) 947-3003 or visit their website to learn more about the store.