11 Garden Tasks You Should Absolutely Do Before Summer Start

Summer is just around the corner. There are several time-sensitive garden chores that you should address now, before it gets too hot and your schedule fills up with warm-weather activities. Taking care of the following tasks in the next few weeks will save you time in the long run and will get your garden season started on the right foot.

1. Get Your Soil Tested

Testing your soil is the best way to know if it’s deficient in essential nutrients or if its pH level (acidity or alkalinity) is in the proper range for garden plants. If you’ve never tested your soil, now is the time. If you haven’t had your soil tested in 3 or 4 years, it’s a good idea to do it again, since your soil’s chemistry changes over time. Send a sample to testing lab, or you can also buy home soil test kits. The test results should include recommendations for what to add if you need to adjust the pH or nutrient levels.

2. Check and Repair Tools 

Look over your tools and be sure they’re in good shape. Sharpen blades on your garden shears and loppers, and oil wooden handles. Repair or replace damaged tools. Have your lawn mower serviced or tune it up yourself by sharpening its blade, replacing spark plugs, and refilling the oil.  Check your weed-whacker, leaf blower, and other power tools to ensure they’re ready to go when you are.

3. Check Irrigation System and Set Timers

If you have an irrigation system, check to make sure your system does not have leaks or blockages that may have developed over winter. If you winterized the system, reconnect it and flush it out, then run it to be sure it’s operating correctly. Finally, be sure your timers are set to the appropriate schedule.

4. Plant Trees and Shrubs 

Planting new trees and shrubs now gives them some time to get established before the heat of summer sets in. This is also a good time to move young trees or shrubs if you’ve decided they need relocation. Be sure to water all new plantings regularly.

5. Prune Spring-Flowering Shrubs 

Shrubs that bloom in the spring, such as forsythia, flowering quince, lilac, and weigela, form their flower buds from late spring to summer the year before they bloom. The ideal time to prune them is immediately following their blooming season so you remove unwanted growth without sacrificing next year’s flowers. Remove any dead or damaged branches or branches that cross and rub against each other.

6. Plant and Divide Perennials

If you plan to add perennials to your beds, now is the time. If your summer and fall blooming perennials have become too large for their spaces, dig them up and divide them. Replant divisions elsewhere in the landscape or share them with friends and neighbors. Wait until fall to divide spring blooming perennials.

7. Fertilize Flower Beds 

Annual and perennial flower beds will benefit from a top-dressing of 1 to 2 inches of compost. Alternatively, you can top-dress with a slow-release plant food. Worms and other soil organisms will help distribute the nutrients to the roots of the plants. If you fertilize your lawn, nearby trees and shrubs may not need additional fertilizer. If they do seem to need a boost, consider a top-dressing with a slow-release fertilizer or compost.

8. Weed and Mulch

Remove weeds that may have appeared in your beds, then apply a fresh 3 -to 4-inch layer of organic mulch to all beds, both newly planted and established. The mulch helps moderate fluctuations in soil temperature, prevents water evaporation and soil crusting, and inhibits weeds. As it breaks down, it feeds the soil and improves soil texture. It also gives your beds a pleasing, tidy appearance.

9. Repair Hardscape Features

Inspect fences, retaining walls, decks, gazebos, sheds, trellises, and benches for damage that may have occurred over winter. Repair them and apply a sealant, paint, or stain if needed. If you have stepping stones, check if they’ve moved and need re-leveling. Check the edgings of your beds; if they’ve shifted, move them back into place. If you cut around your beds or walkways to form an edging, now is the time to refresh it.

10. Plant Container Gardens

Examine planters and window boxes to be sure they are good condition and ready to plant. Remove old soil and clean them out. Move the planters to your desired location and fill with clean fresh potting mix. Plant as soon as the weather allows so you can enjoy your container gardens all season. 

11. Clean Bird Feeders and Bird Baths

Empty bird feeders of old seed and wash them with a mild (10 percent) bleach solution. Use the same solution to clean the bird bath. To keep your backyard birds healthy, clean both feeders and bird baths regularly throughout the season. Change the water in the bird bath at least once a week.