Get Ready To Garden

Spring marks the beginning of the growing season in many parts of the country. To ensure a successful garden, now is the time to prepare for the season ahead.

The garden tasks you need to do in early spring will vary depending on your growing zone. Colder climates will just be getting started, while warmer parts of the country may already be enjoying garden bounty.

For those of us just thawing out, here are the spring gardening tasks that will set you up for success:

*  Weed and mulch. Early spring is a key time to get ahead of the weeds and put down a thick layer of protective mulch.

*  Plant bare-root trees, shrubs, and roses. These should go in before temperatures get too warm.

*  Fertilize spring bulbs.

*  Trim back grasses and perennials to make way for new growth.

*  Prepare vegetable beds for early spring seeds. Apply a layer of compost and turn the soil over.

*  Plant cold-weather vegetable seeds such as lettuce, radish, and kale.