Mother’s Day is just around
the bend, which means flower planting time is coming to the region. Like most
gardeners in these parts, I can hardly wait. So I am preparing the terrain, so
to speak.
Now that winter appears to
have whirled away for good (although one never knows in the Upper Midwest), I
am excavating areas of my garden that seem to have weathered the colder months
less successfully. I’m digging out perennials and groundcover plants that aren’t
coming back.
At the same time, I am
pulling out emerging garden weeds – before they have a chance to become
established this season.
My tool pick for this job is actually
a lightweight, but sturdy, long-handled garden spade that is marketed for kids. (I
like the Ames True Temper Real Tools For Kids Round Point Shovel With
36-Inch Handle, as seen here.) I love how easy this shovel
is to wield, and the blade is just the right size for digging out and around
single plantings and nasty weeds without damaging desirable neighboring plants.
I’m also cleaning out my patio pots and flower boxes.
This year, I am tossing all
of the rooted dirt inside these planters, as I should have done more thoroughly
last year. I’m scrubbing and rinsing the insides. (I prefer the OXO Good Grips Safe for Ceramic Palm Brush for this
purpose, as it does not damage my terra cotta or ceramic garden pots. I keep one, as shown in the photo, with my gardening tools and supplies, so I don't mix it up with the one in the kitchen.)
When Mother’s Day arrives,
and the hordes of horticultural hobbyists march into the local garden center, I
will be ready to plant.
Images:
Product promo photos
Fair use
NOTE: This blogger has no affiliation with any product/s mentioned in this post and received no remuneration from the manufacturer/s or product promoter/s for this post.
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