Preparing Your Garden Bed for Spring: Tips and Planting Suggestions

As the days grow longer and the air warms, spring is the perfect time to shake off the winter blues and prepare your garden for a new season of growth. 

At Birdies Garden Products NZ, we believe that a well-prepared garden bed can lead to a flourishing garden. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to get your raised garden beds ready for spring planting, in addition to suggesting some great crops to consider for this vibrant time of year.

Step 1: Clean Your Garden Bed

It is important that before planting, you take the time to clean out your raised garden bed. Remove any leftover plant debris from the previous season, including old roots, weeds, and any remaining mulch. 

This will help prevent pests and diseases from lingering in your garden bed, at the same time as preparing a clean slate for new plants.

Step 2: Assess and Improve Soil Quality

Healthy soil is the foundation of a successful garden. So, make sure you check the condition of your soil, and consider adding organic matter such as compost, well-rotted manure, or worm castings to improve its nutrient content and structure. These amendments will enrich your soil and promote healthy root development.

• Here’s a top tip: perform a soil test to determine pH and nutrient levels. This will help you make informed decisions about any additional soil amendments you might judge to be necessary. 

Step 3: Turn and Aerate the Soil

Using a garden fork or tiller, loosen the soil in your raised garden bed. This process will aerate the soil, allowing air and moisture to penetrate deeper, which is essential for healthy root growth. Mixing in organic matter while turning the soil will also help incorporate nutrients evenly throughout the bed.

Step 4: Plan Your Layout

Once your garden bed is prepared, you can begin to make decisions on your planting layout. Give careful thought to the spacing requirements for each crop, so that you can give them enough room to grow. Keep in mind companion planting principles, where certain plants can benefit from being grown together, which will enhance pest control and overall productivity.

What Should You Plant in The Spring? 

Spring is an excellent time to plant a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers in New Zealand. Here are some local recommendations that thrive during the spring season:

1. Vegetables:

• Lettuce and salad greens: varieties like cos and butterhead are perfect for cooler temperatures. They can be sown directly into the soil for a fresh, leafy crop.
• Peas: both sugar snap and snow peas thrive in the cool spring weather, which makes them a great choice for early planting.
• Carrots: why not plant varieties like ‘Nantes’ or ‘Danvers’ directly into loose soil for a delicious harvest in a few months’ time? 
• Radishes: this flowering plant is known to germinate quickly – so, you might be tempted to plant ‘Cherry Belle’ or ‘French breakfast’ radishes closely together for an early spring treat. 

2. Herbs:

• Basil: varieties such as sweet basil thrive as the weather warms up and can be easily grown from seeds or seedlings.
• Coriander (cilantro): this herb prefers cooler temperatures and can be sown directly in the garden for a fresh addition to salads and garnishes.
• Chives: perennial chives can be planted in the spring, and you can depend on them providing a flavourful herb year after year.

3. Flowers:

• Marigolds: these hardy flowers not only add vibrant colour to your garden but also deter pests, making them a great companion in vegetable gardens.
• Snapdragons: perfect for spring planting, snapdragons provide beautiful vertical interest for flower beds.
• Sunflowers: when you plant varieties like giant sunflowers or ‘Autumn Beauty’, you can look forward to stunning blooms that will brighten your garden and attract pollinators.

Step 5: Mulch and Water

After planting, consider applying a layer of mulch around your plants. Mulching helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain a consistent soil temperature. Remember to water the garden bed thoroughly once you have planted, to settle the soil and encourage germination.

Conclusion: The Effort Needed for Spring Planting Is More Than Worth It! 

Preparing your garden bed for the spring is an enjoyable and rewarding process that sets the stage for a successful growing season. By cleaning, improving, and aerating your soil, planning your layout, and choosing the right plants, you can create a thriving garden that yields delicious produce and beautiful blooms.

At Birdies Garden Products NZ, we’re here to support you on your gardening journey. Our garden beds and tips can help take the stress out of your spring planting. Visit our website to explore our range of products and resources, and get ready to cultivate your dream garden this spring. Happy gardening!