Preparing for Spring 5 Easy Gardening Tips — Even though the ground is still frozen or unworkable, there are **5 things** you can be doing to be ready for Spring. Try these **5 easy, beginner-friendly tips** for an abundant garden!

If you’re new to gardening, you’re probably feeling pretty flustered with all the information and possibilities. Where do you start? What do you plant? What soil and lighting is the best? The list goes on. If you’re a seasoned gardener, like myself, you may still feel overwhelmed at trying to cram all the crops, flowers, and herbs into your space, how best to use the space you have, and how to improve upon last year’s harvest. Gardening takes consistency and patience; hardly anyone gets it right the first time and seasoned gardeners still go through many trials and errors—in memoriam of the two, beautiful Duke Blueberry plants I had last year.

So, let’s learn from my mistakes and what I am doing this year for a better harvest.

Write Down Your Goals & Plan for Your Garden

The possibilities in gardening are endless, inspiring a wealth of ideas and motivation to plant whatever you dream of. I’m not here to stop you—trust me, I’d love to plant everything, too. Unfortunately, space is often limited, and some plants simply don’t get along. Whenever I visit a local nursery, I feel compelled to buy every new plant or crop I see. But creating a habit out of this often leaves many plants without a proper place in my garden. If you aren’t familiar with the needs of the plant you just bought, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment.

Of course, failure is a natural part of gardening—even when you meticulously plan—but jotting down your garden goals can often help prevent many issues.

During winter, I like to sit down and reflect on what crops or plants excite me the most. Do I want to experiment, or do I aim for a steady succession of harvests throughout the growing season? Envisioning your available space—or the one you plan to create—is crucial for determining what and how much you can grow. Back in 2023, I wrote a list of every plant I wanted to grow, with the simple goal of learning. Experimenting with the new space I was designing helped me focus and tailor my plans.

In my first year gardening, I went completely overboard, planting everything I could get my hands on—peas, carrots, radishes, squash, lettuces, pumpkins, sunflowers—you name it. I crammed most of it into a small 2x4 DIY raised bed. Unsurprisingly, almost everything in the bed failed; some crops were planted out of season, and the crowding didn’t help. The only plants that somewhat thrived were my Giant Pumpkins and Mammoth Sunflowers, which I sowed in-ground. And by "thrived," I mean they almost produced before wildlife took them out.

Here’s what I learned:

Plan your crops to fit your space.
Factor in and work with wildlife.
Don’t be hard on yourself when something doesn’t grow.
Pay attention to your growing zone and the best times to sow certain varieties.
As a beginner, start small and grow from there!

So, grab a pen and paper, or use a writing app or spreadsheet on your computer, and take some time to think about what you want to grow, its needs, the space you have, and the goals you want to achieve.

Take Stock of Tools You Have & the State of Your Garden

It’s important to assess what you’re starting with to ensure your garden space is ready to handle everything you aspire to accomplish. If you’re working with older tools, consider replacing them with more durable options. Properly storing tools over the winter can also extend their lifespan. Believe me, I’ve forgotten shovels and rakes outside plenty of times, only to be disappointed when they rust or break down faster than expected (surprise, surprise).

For my garden, I like to keep a few staples on hand to ensure I’m prepared for every project:

Garden Tool Set - a variety of shovels and rakes makes working by hand much easier.
Good Pair of Gloves - I like to buy a few pairs at once, so I always have a backup. While I enjoy working the soil and planting with my bare hands, gloves definitely come in handy (see what I did there).
Large Shovels & Rakes - smaller tools are great for detail work, but larger projects—like moving mounds of soil or digging into tougher ground—call for heavy-duty tools that can go the extra mile.
Wheelbarrow - this was something I didn’t have early on, but it has become indispensable. When expanding your garden or working in larger spaces, a quality wheelbarrow makes hauling soil and plants far less backbreaking. I recently upgraded to a heavy-duty version after tripling the size of my garden.
Plant Supports - investing in high-quality supports—or crafting your own—can greatly improve the health and success of your garden. They’re one of my favorite tools for fostering a thriving space.

If your garden is a bit of a disaster, like mine is now, take time to clean up any debris. Heading into winter, I cut back any annual plants (those that only produce once a year) but leave most stems and root systems in the garden. This practice adds nutrients to the soil in the spring, provides natural mulch, and creates a habitat for overwintering pollinators. Your garden may look messy, but resist the urge to tidy up until temperatures consistently reach the 50s Fahrenheit. This delay gives pollinators a chance to “wake up” and protects your soil and other plants from harsh conditions.

Begin Starting Seeds Indoors

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably itching to start planting. The good news is, there are plenty of crops you can begin sowing indoors well before March or April. As long as the seed varieties you want to start early recommend indoor sowing (check the back of the seed packet), you’re good to go—so get to work!

Having the best seed-starting supplies is crucial for keeping your seedlings flourishing. While I am not currently affiliated with Epic Gardening, yet, I’ve found they consistently offer some of the best seed-starting equipment for gardeners. In addition, here are a few of my favorite tools, suitable for any budget:

60-Cell Seed Starting Kit - comes with a humidity dome, seedling cells, tray for water and soil catching, and a seedling heating mat to keep them nice and toasty as the temperatures warm up. This kit has nearly everything you need to get started.
Seedling Soil - seedlings are incredibly delicate, just like any new life. High-quality soil that retains moisture and remains light and fluffy helps delicate roots grow and prosper.
Grow Light - I haven’t used these extensively—thanks to adequate sunlight through my windows—grow lights are a game-changer for many gardeners. They allow you to start seeds in darker spaces, like a garage or basement.

There are countless tips and tricks for starting seeds indoors, so stay tuned for more posts and content about it!

Set Up & Prepare Garden Beds

This is one of my favorite parts of gardening—creating more space to grow a wider variety of plants. I’m definitely nerding out over here!

As I mentioned previously, when I first started gardening, I made a DIY, 2x4ft bed (back in 2020). It was lined with an old tarp to protect the area and filled with whatever debris and soil I could find. Gardening doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive. Some of the most beautiful gardens are crafted by hand and with love. Soil health is incredibly important, but it’s something you can learn and improve over time. The key is to work with the resources available to you and purchase soil as needed. Many local organizations even offer free soil services, which can help cut down on costs and maximize your garden’s potential.

There are so many types of garden beds out there and plenty of DIY options, which we can explore in future posts. Choosing the right one for you really comes down to dimensions and budget. If you have unlimited space and budget—totally not jealous right now—then fantastic! Even with a limited budget, you can still craft a one-of-a-kind garden environment tailored to your needs, full of inspiration.

If you prefer a more structured and polished look, Birdies Raised Beds are an excellent option for any space. While I’m not currently affiliated with Epic Gardening (though I’d love to be someday!), I highly recommend their products, as they’ve been a game-changer for my own garden.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with various gardening setups. In 2023, I built my own raised bed complete with a greenhouse top. In 2018, I created a cozy patio garden using pots, and in 2017, I explored in-ground planting when I had more space. Each setup was unique, reflecting my goals at the time.

No matter your approach, craft a garden space that you love and that speaks to your vision. After all, gardening is all about creating something that brings you joy and satisfaction.

Support Local Businesses

Investing your time and resources into your local community is a wonderful way to prepare for spring and build lasting connections. I’m a regular at my local produce stand, which also sells a variety of Amish and homegrown plants and produce. Not only does shopping there allow me to give back to my community, but I also meet new people and learn something new about gardening with every visit. It’s been an invaluable way to better understand growing seasons and when to plant certain crops.

Supporting local produce stands, nurseries, farmer’s markets, and events provides access to organic advice and resources you might not find elsewhere. These local businesses often offer some of the healthiest and most diverse plants—varieties you’re unlikely to see at big box stores. In fact, nearly half of the plants in the photos above come from my local community, while the rest were grown by me.

Events like Earth Day or other eco-friendly gatherings are also fantastic opportunities to connect. They often feature free or low-cost plants and can introduce you to clubs and organizations nearby. While I’m dedicated to crafting a blog and curating trusted resources for you, nothing compares to the advice and friendships you’ll find in a local gardening group.

Preparing for spring is all about planning, connecting with your community, and embracing the joy of gardening. Whether you're starting seeds indoors or finding inspiration at your local nursery, remember that every step brings you closer to a thriving garden.

Now it’s your turn—grab your notebook, head to your local nursery, or start sketching out your dream garden space. Spring is just around the corner, and your perfect garden awaits!