Spring can't come soon enough for a gardener. Well the wait is over! After months of deprivation, it's finally time to get back out there.

Your garden has gone through a tough few months; this is your chance to help its transition out of dormancy go as smoothly as possible. Get your garden growing again with these handy tips.

Be Well Equipped

In early spring, the weather can still be cold and your garden is likely quite soggy. Walking around will only compact it and damage fragile root systems. Give your soil some time to dry out and start your garden preparation indoors by reviewing your gardening tools.

Clean off any debris from last year. Check the hinges on pruners to ensure they are lubricated properly and that the cutting action is still smooth. This is also the time to check out your tools for any rust. Remove it wherever possible.

Also check your lawnmower. Blades should be clean. Rotary mowers should have a smooth spinning action. Electric and gas mowers should be given a thorough servicing.

Once the ground has started to dry out, get out in your garden for a garbage pick up. Strong winter winds can blow all sorts of papers and other debris into the garden. Get rid of any dead plants you didn't get around to removing last year; spring is the time to replace them.

From the Ground Up

The ground of your garden is vital to its performance. There are several areas you should address during the spring.

One important area to clean up is mulch. I typically replace the mulch in my garden every two years. I find this schedule is best for preventing the mulch from decaying to such a degree that it begins to harbor pests or fungus. When I don't replace it, I do move a hoe through it to "freshen" it up and get some air moving through after a winter covered in snow.

If you are removing your mulch, leave the ground exposed for about two weeks before replacing it. This will give the ground plenty of air and daylight exposure. You may also want to check with your local recycling centre. Some yard waste programs provide mulch for free.

Aeration is another major way to get your garden off to good start. Frozen soil covered by heavy snow can become quite compacted. Aeration is the process of breaking up your soil so that it is exposed to more air and water. It's a great way to give your soil a kick-start. But don't worry. You don't have to do any major digging.

There are a number of ways to aerate. Firstly, you can purchase slip on spikes. These are essentially like the old fashioned roller skates that you slip over your shoe. Once the spikes are on your shoes, simply walk on the soil. As you do so, you'll puncture the ground with small holes allowing air and water to penetrate the soil more effectively. Another way to aerate is to use a hoe to break up the surface of soil around the base of your plants. Whether you use spikes, a hoe or both, don't attempt to aerate very wet soil.

If you haven't had your soil tested in a couple of years, it's a good idea to get this done. This will ensure that your fertilization program is appropriate.

Plants

The care of your plants is the next major area you should address in any spring protocol.

The first step is to commence your usual fertilization schedule for both your lawn and garden. If you're not sure, consult with your local garden centre about an appropriate product and schedule.

Granular fertilizer should be applied to just beyond the reach of branches and stems. Grass fertilizer should be applied with a spreader, essentially a miniature wheelbarrow with a spinner that will distribute your fertilizer evenly. This helps protect against burning out patches of your lawn. Gardening centres can usually supply you with a rental spreader.

Spring is also the time to prune summer bloomers. If you are unsure, consult a gardening guide regarding a given plant's pruning schedule. Remove any dead, diseased, or dying areas of your plants. You should also commence a pest control program in May.

Check trees for any winter damage and pruned accordingly. Be sure to seal pruned branches to prevent invasion by pests. An arborist should deal with any major damage to your trees. Don't use a chain saw yourself, particularly above ground level.

Obviously you'll want to add some items to your garden this spring, but there is always the danger of frost. I usually wait for early bulbs, such as crocuses, to bloom and then wait another two weeks after that. You can't predict the weather, but this approach has allowed me to bypass frost on a consistent basis. If you can be patient, planting in May is sure way to beat frost in most areas of Canada.

Northern gardeners, in areas such as Nunavut, may want to wait until later in May to plant. Decide on the timing that works for you, but make sure that you give the garden a good weeding before adding new items. This will prevent weeds from spreading.

If you are planting seeds, it is best to wait until the early rains of spring have finished, and your soil is relatively dry. Seeds require moist soil, but not wet, as too much liquid will prevent germination and your seeds will rot.

As well as your blooming plants, there's also your lawn to consider. In spring, the root system in your lawn can be delicate. The soil may be very moist, so aggressive cutting may actually yank your grass out. Raise the level of your mower so that you are initially clipping your lawn as opposed to cutting it. You can start your regular cutting regime in June. If your lawn is beyond hope, spring is the time to lay down new turf.

If you've got any landscaping projects or deck building to do, May to June is the time to do it. You'll benefit from warm weather and relatively low humidity in which to get the job done. If you're going to hire a gardening center or contractor, it's best to book them in March or April. Summer is their prime season and they book up quickly.

As you can see, there's a lot to take care of. But it doesn't have to be done all at once. You can take a staggered approach of tool maintenance, clean up, soil care and plant preparation as your schedule permits. But do take the time to do it. It's that little extra work in spring that takes a summer garden from good to great.