February 19, 2025, 3:55 pm | Read time: 5 minutes

The new gardening season is not far off when the first spring bloomers finally appear. myHOMEBOOK gives tips on what to do now so that the “green living room” is perfectly prepared.

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Preparing the Garden for Spring in 6 Steps

1. Tidy up the garden

If you want to prepare your garden for spring, the first thing you should do is tidy it up. After the cold months, a lot of leaves and dead plant matter have usually accumulated. Before buying new plants or moving others, the garden should be thoroughly tidied up. This includes, for example:

• Clearing beds of leaves and old plant parts. If possible, plant matter should not simply be put in the organic waste garbage can but stored temporarily in an open container. This is because many insects look for winter quarters in the dried parts of the plants and can climb out on the first really warm days. The compost heap is only suitable for this to a limited extent, as the dead plant matter can carry diseases and transmit them to healthy plants via the compost.
• Cut back wilted perennials and shrubs. Cut close to the ground and do not damage new shoots.
• Remove moss and weeds.
• Clean dirt from paths and patios. To do this, first roughly sweep with a broom and then, if available, use a high-pressure cleaner.

2. Prepare and Improve the Soil

Healthy soil is essential for plants to grow optimally in spring. After the winter, the soil is often compacted, and nutrients have been washed out by heavy rain. The soil can be improved quickly with just a few measures:

• Loosen the soil carefully, e.g., with a digging fork.
• Work in compost or organic fertilizer.
• Check the pH value and optimize with lime or humus if necessary

3. First Sowing and Planting

As soon as the worst of the frost has passed, you can start sowing your first seeds.

• Cold-resistant vegetables such as spinach, mâche (or corn salad), or onions can be sown or planted directly outdoors.
• Fruit trees and perennials can be planted now, at least when heavy frost is no longer expected.

More sensitive plants such as tomatoes or peppers should also be planted in the greenhouse or on the windowsill now. In our latitudes, these need a little more lead time to grow than other vegetable plants. Chilies also belong to this group of plants.
Now is also the time to plan your vegetable patch. Which plants should you plant this year, and when should you start sowing? A well-thought-out planting plan for the vegetable patch ensures efficient use of the available space and a rich harvest.

4. Pruning Shrubs and Trees

Targeted pruning in late winter not only promotes flowering and fruiting but also keeps the plants healthy. This prepares them for spring in the garden:

• Prune fruit trees in January or February. Pay attention to the appropriate pruning for each type of fruit tree.
• Shape up hedges. After March 1, heavy pruning is prohibited in Germany in order to protect breeding birds (Federal Nature Conservation Act).

5. Check and Prepare Garden Tools

To ensure that gardening runs smoothly, the tools should be in good condition. Well-maintained tools make work easier, and proper care extends their service life.

• Sharpen shears and blades and remove any rust.
• Check the function of lawnmowers and other equipment. Existing blades should also be sharpened.
• Check seeds and pesticides: If they have expired, they should be disposed of.

6. Create an Animal-Friendly Garden

Not only plants but also insects, birds, and other animals benefit from a well-prepared garden in spring.

• Before spring is the time to hang up nesting boxes for birds. As soon as the mating season begins, the birds will have nesting sites available.
• Insect hotels should also be put up in late winter.
• Water sources such as bird baths can be set up all year round. A light layer of ice does not bother the birds. And in spring, when the weather is dry, they are dependent on additional water as they are then particularly active in nest building and brood care.