Spring Gardening Tips & Tricks

April and May are some of the busiest — and most rewarding — months in the North Atlanta garden. Once the threat of frost has passed, our yards really start to come alive.

After years of watching North Atlanta neighborhoods bloom, I’ve learned that a little time in the garden goes a long way. Whether you're planting your first vegetable garden, freshening up your flower beds, or simply looking for an easy way to boost your curb appeal, spring is the perfect time to get started.

Here are a few of my favorite spring gardening tips, with guidance from local gardening expert Walter Reeves and the UGA Horticulture Department.

Plant Your Summer Vegetables

Once the soil has warmed up, it's time to plant warm-season favorites like tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers, eggplant and okra.

With our long growing season, there's nothing quite like walking into your backyard in July and picking dinner straight from the garden.

Give Your Soil a Little Love

If you've gardened in Georgia for any length of time, you know our clay soil can be challenging.

Adding compost or other organic matter before planting can improve soil structure, drainage and nutrient availability. It's one of those behind-the-scenes jobs that makes everything else in the garden easier.

Add Color — and Some Pollinators

Want an instant boost of color? Consider annuals such as petunias, marigolds, zinnias, celosia and geraniums.

You can also add plants that attract bees and butterflies, such as coneflowers and bee balm. It's an easy way to make your yard more beautiful while giving local pollinators a helping hand.

Prune After Spring Blooms

If your azaleas and rhododendrons have finished blooming, spring is the right time to prune them and shape them for the year ahead.

Just don't wait too long. Pruning at the wrong time can remove next year's flower buds. Walter Reeves has a helpful guide to pruning azaleas.

Be Careful With Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are another North Atlanta favorite, but they're easy to prune at the wrong time.

Once you see new growth, remove dead wood and damaged stems. But resist the urge to give mophead hydrangeas a major haircut — many varieties bloom on old wood, so heavy pruning can mean fewer flowers.

Sometimes the best gardening advice is simply: put down the pruning shears.

Don't Forget the Lawn

Spring is a great time to repair thin or damaged areas of your lawn, but timing matters depending on the type of grass you have.

For warm-season lawns, focus on getting the soil and grass ready for active summer growth. If your soil is compacted, aeration can help roots access air, water and nutrients more easily.

And if you're working on curb appeal, don't underestimate what a healthy, well-maintained lawn can do.

Try a Few Georgia-Friendly Plants

Consider adding plants that are well suited to our climate, such as black-eyed Susans, oakleaf hydrangeas and muhly grass.

The right plants generally require less fuss once established and can provide food and habitat for local wildlife.

Don't Throw Away Those Easter Lilies

If you received an Easter lily this year, you don't necessarily have to say goodbye once the flowers fade.

Remove the spent blooms and, once conditions are right, plant the bulb outdoors in a sunny, well-drained location. With a little luck, you can enjoy it again in future years.

Mulch Makes Everything Easier

A fresh layer of mulch or pine straw is one of the simplest spring upgrades you can make.

It helps retain moisture, moderate soil temperatures and suppress weeds — while making your beds look instantly more finished.

Just don't pile it against tree trunks or plant stems. Mulch should look like a donut, not a volcano.

Water Early

As temperatures climb, water your plants in the morning when possible.

Early watering gives plants time to absorb moisture before the heat of the day and allows foliage to dry, which can help reduce some disease problems.

Keep an Eye Out for Pests

Spring also means bugs are back.

Check your plants regularly for aphids, caterpillars and other pests. Catching a problem early is much easier than trying to rescue an entire garden later.

A Little Gardening Goes a Long Way

You don't have to transform your entire yard to make a difference. A few colorful annuals, a fresh layer of mulch, a healthy lawn or a handful of plants that attract butterflies can completely change how your outdoor space feels. And if you're thinking about selling, don't overlook the impact of your yard. 

Good landscaping is one of the easiest ways to make a great first impression on a potential buyer.

Whether you're settling into a new home or getting yours ready for the market, I hope you enjoy a little time outside this spring.

Happy gardening!

Photo by Sandie Clarke on Unsplash