By: Kevin Kavanagh, Nature Conservancy of Canada^*

Although the weather across the country is slowly warming, most plants are still dormant. That makes it a great time to start planning and preparing your garden for spring. The Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC’s) manager of conservation internship programs and avid gardener, Kevin Kavanagh, shares his top 10 tips of things you can do to ensure your garden’s ready for spring and all things green:

1. Clear away and compost the dead stalks of perennials that provided seeds and cover to birds and other wildlife over the winter but may harbour unwanted diseases and bugs.
2. Prune shrubs and small trees to maintain good form and vigour.
3. Rake lawns to remove winter debris. This also helps aerate the soil to ensure air gets in to the root zone.
4. Start turning over your compost pile. The deteriorated organic material at the bottom of the pile can make great mulch to spread over the garden.
5. Wash summer hummingbird and butterfly feeders thoroughly to avoid the buildup of harmful moulds and bacteria.
6. Clean out bird boxes to avoid the incidence of diseases and pests such as mites that can harm feathered visitors to your garden.
7. Take the time now to plan new beds or revitalize existing ones to get ready for planting in a few weeks’ time. For new or expanded beds, dig areas early and add organic matter (well-rotted compost is great) to improve the soil.
8. Build a bat or bird box to attract new species to your yard.
9. Learn about what plants are native to your area and find out how you can restore a couple of species to your garden.
10. Contact your local gardening or nature club about plants and invasive species that are known to be of concern in your area and avoid buying them. If they already are present, remove them.

* The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada’s leading national land conservation organization. We are a private, non-profit group that partners with corporate and individual landowners to achieve the direct protection of our most important natural treasures through property securement (donation, purchase, conservation agreement and the relinquishment of other legal interests in land) and long-term stewardship of our portfolio of properties.

Visit Nature Conservancy of Canada