Spring has begun. Despite the current mandatory disruption of public social life all over the world for health reasons, new life is beginning to unfold unhindered in nature. After early spring blooms and early-flowering shrubs die off, many locations enter breeding planting season, a sign that nesting feathered animals and critters are protected. For all garden lovers or balcony owners, this is the ideal time to prepare their favorite outdoor space for the new season. We explain what gardening jobs are currently pending.
Go Outside
Once the sun’s rays are longer and warmer, nighttime temperatures are no longer sub-zero, and the clocks switch to daylight saving time again, it’s time for all the loving gardeners among us: get outside and spruce up your garden! Those who do not have their own garden but have a balcony or small terrace are also encouraged to start working.
Planting Beets
Once the soil is frost-free, add compost or topsoil to the beds and replenish them with fresh, well-drained soil. It is now possible to grow plants that can tolerate lower temperatures, such as crops such as lettuce, cabbage or radishes. But it is also possible to grow ornamental plants that require nutrients, such as daffodils, tulips or hyacinths. They usually need additional mineral fertilizers, which should be applied by April or May at the latest, but only in small amounts. The first herbs, such as mint or basil, can now be planted in the herb garden.
Planting Vegetables
Some vegetables, including cucumbers and tomatoes, should definitely be pre-planted indoors in a sunny, warm spot before acclimating to outside temperatures until mid-May, traditionally after Ice Saints. Cucumber and tomato plants are so-called heavy feeders, meaning they draw a lot of nutrients from the soil. Therefore, they need to be fertilized regularly, for example with organic vegetable fertilizers or homemade plant fertilizers. Especially important for tomato plants: it must be protected from rain and wind. If you want to grow vegetables in the same bed for several years in a row, you should definitely have a planting plan in place, as it is important to respect the stress of the crop rotation on the soil. This means that useful plants are divided into four groups according to their different nutrient requirements, in which a distinction is made between heavy consumers, moderate consumers, weak consumers and green manures. Plants from the same group can be planted in one bed, but in different areas. These should be changed every year to emphasize the floor differently.
Pruning or Planting Pome Fruit Trees
Fruit trees such as apple, pear or quince trees tolerate pruning well in cooler temperatures down to around minus 5°C. If the temperature drops more sharply, caution is advised, as the wood is sensitive and can easily become brittle and brittle, which increases the risk of harming new shoots. These pome fruit varieties are pruned before sprouting, whereas stone fruit trees can only be pruned after the summer harvest; the wood is often more susceptible to disease. If you want to plant new pome fruit, you’ve also found the right time with moderate temperatures now. It should be noted that pome fruits always require a second pollinator of the same variety for good yields. For this purpose, the industry offers so-called duo espaliers, two fruit trees of the same variety planted opposite each other. Alternatively, make sure there is a second suitable pollinator within a radius of about 800 meters – this is the radius in which bees move as pollinators.
Maintaining and Mowing Lawns
If you have a garden with a lawn, you should start tending the lawn in April. To do this, start by removing weeds, moss, and leaves from your dry lawn. It must then be mowed before the soil is loosened and aerated with a scarifier or rake. Opinions differ when it comes to loosening the soil: While some hobby gardeners believe that regular fertilization alone is perfectly sufficient, others believe the process is necessary to allow a manicured lawn to shine in lush greenery. It is important to know that loosening soil is not the only maintenance measure. Because of moss infestation, for example, it can also be due to low soil pH. Corresponding calcium-based fertilizers can help, but only if it is clearly clarified beforehand that the moss infestation is actually due to acidic soil. Moss growth may also be due to crusting on the soil surface if pH measurements indicate that the soil is not acidic. In this case, slightly roughening the soil and tilling it in rock dust can help, which provides mineral trace elements to the soil and makes it more resistant to pests. The barren grassland should be replanted and topdressed with organic fertilizer to make the lawn fully green. It provides mineral trace elements to the soil, making it more resistant to pests. The barren grassland should be replanted and topdressed with organic fertilizer to make the lawn fully green. It provides mineral trace elements to the soil, making it more resistant to pests. The barren grassland should be replanted and topdressed with organic fertilizer to make the lawn fully green.
While the tasks of amateur gardeners and nature lovers may be varied in the spring, the garden will thank you throughout the year. Because well-prepared plants will thrive and bring a lot of joy. We hope you enjoy gardening while enjoying your oasis of well-being, and even more!
