Spring Cleaning in the Garden is not always what you think
Springtime 2010 has officially come, and now it's time to get out in the yard to get ready for gardening season. Before you get ready to rake out the gardens, throw down the fertilizer, and get the new plants in the beds, take a moment to stop and think about what spring cleaning should really mean for your yard. Last fall I wrote a post Maintaining Composure while Decomposing, that discussed how leaving many plants in the garden to decompose naturally helps the soil and our gardens. In another post, Earthworms are Nature's Best Rototillers, I gave you many reasons to let Mother Nature and her workers till the soil for you and get it ready for springtime. Both are worth reading now that it's time to get out there.
No fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides are used in this client's gardens
And if like mine your gardens are still covered in snow or sleeping peacefully, take this time to read up on alternatives to pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilizers. Make a new checklist of things to do in the garden. Visit awesome blogs and websites devoted to ecosystem, organic, nature or wildlife gardening to learn more about "spring cleaning" your gardening choices and style.
Native Lady bugs are just one of many "good bugs"
that are great for natural pest control
You'll end up with less work, better soil, and a healthier environment for you, your plants and the creatures that visit your gardens. After all, isn't that what you really want in a garden?
Water for birds, flowers for pollinators, pesticide free and
WaterWise practices all help to create gardens that need
little maintenance and help the ecosystem.
What excellent information for spring time gardeners. For those who are anxiously waiting to go outside, but have piles of snow still, this is something that they can do now....read about how to do it right and get everything ready for when the snow if finally gone.
ReplyDeleteI love that last pic. I want to live there! Yes, taking time to think first is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI chop, drop, and cover with pine straw. Spring is here and with the help of the dog, I'm trying to keep up.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great post. I went back and read the post about the worms. It makes me feel better that rototilling isn't necessary. I'm trying to amend the soil in a bed that has horrible soil and I'm mostly just pouring bags of compost on for now. Your garden pictures are beautiful, I really love that last one.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with letting things be in a natural way. I like to co-exist with nature. And, I rarely have a "bug" problem. There are so many flowers interblooming with vegetables that I think the bugs get confused and lost. Good post - Gloria
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more. We need a few bugs or the birds have nothing to eat!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post..well said....always a refreshing insghtful visit..full of wisdom !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos too!
Kiki~
I just found your blog and wholeheartedly agree with your posts about gardening for nature. This is definitely a site I'll return to!
ReplyDeleteKay
This is something for us all to seriously consider. If we garden for the benefit of nature, then we will enjoy a healthier and beautiful environment that is easier to take care of.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to guess that the Iris you entered in the GGW photo contest is iris histrioides 'George'. I had planted it myself for the first time this year...
ReplyDeleteVery nice.
We get lot's of lady bugs on late warm fall days that swarm the sunny side of the house and then crawl into the house walls to over winter. Actually, someone said they're called pumpkin bugs. They are starting to appear now inside. I wish they come out and eat some of the harmful insects in the spring and summer.
ReplyDelete