🌱 Early Spring Garden Prep: Mulching, Budding, and Fertilizing Tips

As plants begin waking up for the season, gardeners often wonder when to mulch, when to fertilize, and how to support new growth. Here’s a simple, practical guide to help you prepare your landscape as buds begin to swell and leaves start to emerge.

Checking for Bud Swell and New Growth

Many trees and shrubs begin showing signs of life in early spring. Buds may enlarge, branch tips may color up, and some plants may leaf out earlier than others. These changes signal that it’s time to prepare the soil and refresh mulch before the growing season begins.

Adding Compost or Mulch in Early Spring

A fresh layer of aged compost, aged manure, or bark mulch can be applied now. Spread the material in a ring around each plant, creating a layer 2 to 4 inches deep and extending 18 to 24 inches from the trunk or main stem.

Be sure to leave a 3‑inch open space around the base of the plant. This “well” keeps mulch off the bark, improves air circulation, and helps direct water toward the root zone without trapping moisture against the trunk.

When to Apply Fertilizer

Fertilizer should be applied after your trees and shrubs have fully leafed out. Once foliage is present, plants can actively take up nutrients.

If you haven’t tested your soil, a balanced, timed‑release fertilizer such as 10‑10‑10 is a general option. Fertilizer helps correct nutrient deficiencies and supports healthy growth, but soil testing is the best way to know exactly what your landscape needs.

Understanding Fertilizer Labels

Fertilizer labels list the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients support leaf growth, root development, and overall plant health. Applying fertilizer evenly around the dripline ensures nutrients reach the active root zone.