Professional advice to prepare your garden for spring

Spring is here and it's time to prepare your garden for a successful growing season. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, here are some pro tips to help you improve the quality of your soil, plan your harvest and grow nutrient-rich food for your family and community.

Plan your harvest

The first step in preparing your garden is to plan your harvest. Think about what you want to grow and how you will arrange your garden. Think about intercropping, a technique used for centuries by native farmers to grow different plants side by side. This method can help your plants become good, nutrient-rich food and protect each other from pests. Keep track of frost dates in your area and find out what might grow well together to help you make the most of your plot.

Check your floor

A healthy garden starts with healthy soil. Before you start planting, it's important to check the condition of your soil. Take a handful of soil and check its color and texture. If it's dark in color, easily loosened, and has a fresh, lively smell, then you know the soil is in good shape. If it's not and the soil smells musty or bad, it's time to add a 10 to 15 centimeter layer of compost or manure on top.

Beware of plowing

Tilling is a common practice to prepare the soil before planting. However, it is important to be wary of this method because it can disrupt the activity of worms and microorganisms that keep the soil fresh and healthy for plants. If you must plow, do so only in areas where you plan to plant shoots or mix manure into the top layer of a new bed. Otherwise, weeding and mulching can help prevent weeds from reappearing without disturbing your soil ecosystem.

Grow responsible food

By growing your own garden, you help improve air and soil quality, protect pollinators and provide shelter for animals. It's also a great way to support the hard-working farmers and agribusinesses that feed Canadians while preserving the environment. Use leading-edge farming practices to grow responsible, high-quality food for your family and community.

Conclusion

By following these pro tips, you can prepare your garden for spring and grow nutrient-rich food for you and your community. Take the time to plan your harvest