The Garden Bug: Late winter garden tasks

By Brenda Weaver

Preparing for spring gardening can include taking a soil sample to your county extension office (or purchasing an at-home testing kit) to learn what nutrients may need to be purchased and integrated into your soil before planting.

Treading across the earth while it is still wet can lead to soil compaction; this impedes root growth and affects water drainage during the growing season. Plan walkways throughout your planting areas using stones, mulch or gravel.

If soil "heaving" has exposed your in-ground perennials and bulbs and temps are still very cold, protective mulch should stay in place over them and may need to be supplemented.

Source: thespruce.com