Many of us have an extra spring in our steps as the sun starts smiling at us a little more and everything starts promising to turn green and colorful again, letting us know that our favorite season is on its way! (That season, of course, is swimming pool season!) While the tasks appropriate for late spring might not yet be able to be added to your docket, even early spring presents opportunities to start getting your outdoor space ready for the beauty and bounty of summer. By doing a little bit at a time, you can work through your to-do list and have your outdoor space ready by late spring, when you’ll be ready to start soaking in the rays rather than working around the yard, anyway.
Early Spring Activities Overview
Depending on the part of the country you’re in, early spring might seem a little more like winter; however, as soon as the ground begins to thaw, you can start getting your outdoor space ready for the warmer weather to come. As a bonus, if you’ve spent your winter in some form of indoor hibernating, the tasks appropriate for early spring will be sure to get your blood flowing and may help you shed some of your winter weight! With that in mind, you will want to ease into it and not try to do it all on the first warm-ish day.
Early Spring Activities, Set 1: Pruning and Raking
One of the first things on your early spring list should be pruning. Before buds begin to bloom, you’ll be able to most effectively adjust shapes of shrubbery and trees. Definitely prune hard before the new growth begins, allowing the plant to focus its energy on producing new, healthy growth which you’ll be able to enjoy during the summer months. In addition to pruning, raking should be on your list. This will allow you to prepare the ground for more planting as well as to help revive the soil.
Early Spring Activities, Set 2: Adding Mulch and More
Once the pruning and raking have been completed, you’ll be ready for a layer of mulch. Not only does mulch help with retaining moisture and reducing the appearance of weeds, but it also offers a visually attractive backdrop against which your colorful plants will pop and a way to designate the edges of your beds. You can use a mulch calculator to help determine just how much you need.
In addition to mulch for existing flower beds, this is the time to change it up or add edging to highlight any specific plants. You’ll also want to take time to look over various structures and equipment, clean them up, and address any necessary repairs. Stock up on pool chemicals and anything else you’ll need for the upcoming pool season.
Early Spring Activities, Set 3: Planting and Planning for Pool Season
Depending on your area’s temperatures, it may be time to plant some cool-season vegetables. After your last thaw, you should be able to plant some veggies such as potatoes, radishes, and peas — which will be ready to harvest during the summer.
Speaking of summer, don’t get ahead of yourself: you don’t want to open your pool until your daytime temperatures are consistently over 70 degrees; otherwise, you’ll encourage algae growth and pollen accumulation.
Continue reading with the Mid Spring To Do List.
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