Guest Author - Katelyn Thomas

Even if you don't start your vegetable plants indoors to get a jump on the growing season, you will need to get a start on spring gardening chores.

To Do:

* Clean up any dead foliage and debris you did not take care of in the fall.
* Apply compost or a good all purpose organic plant food to your established garden beds. Add a two to three inch layer of organic mulch to keep weeds in check and to regulate moisture.
* Add compost and aged manure to vegetable beds and rototil your soil. (Do not do this task if your soil is soggy. Heavy clay soil that is worked when it is too wet compacts into unworkable clods.
* Once your bulbs come up, make a list or map of any bare or boring areas. In the fall,you can refer to your notes and order the bulbs that you need. For now, place potted plants or ornaments in the bare areas for instant pizzazz.
* Check your plants for insect infestations and diseases. Prune out damaged stems. Keep a close eye on your roses to avoid black spot and treat them quickly at the first signs of disease.
* Divide perennials before they break dormancy fully. Reduce stress by getting them back in the ground as fast as possible.
* Prune your spring blooming bushes immediately after they bloom. Do not prune after mid-July or you will prune off next season's blooms.
* Plant potatoes, onions, peas, and lettuce as soon as the ground can be worked.
* Plant tomatoes and other cold sensitive vegetables after your area's last hard frost. (My zone 6B garden usually is safe after May 20th.)