Spring is coming soon, need some gardening tips? Here are 6 great ideas We have had a relatively mild winter so far in Pennsylvania, and I am sure everyone has a little spring fever already. Here are six ideas to help you get ready for the garden season.1. Pruning: perennials do best if you keep them pruned. they will have a nicer shape and the plant doesn't have to waste any energy on scraggly old growth. Be sure not to trim into your new plant growth. Woody shrubs and trees should also be pruned of water sprouts and sucker growth on a nice spring day. 2. Tools: Since early spring isn't a tremendously busy time for gardening, since you are patiently (or impatiently) waiting to see your plant life start thriving, it is a great time to get your gardening tools in good working order. Sharpen spades and trowels, and don't forget to take care of your shovels and shears. Taking proper care of your tools will not only make your gardening job easier, but it will save you money because you don't have to replace your tools unnecessarily. 3. Planning: Plan your vegetable garden layout and start seeds early. get the most benefit out of the space you have by planting vegetables that compliment each others' growing style. For example, you could plant tomatoes and pole beans together. The beans will use the tomatoes as a natural climbing pole. Plant squash underneath, which will provide shade and extra moisture for roots for all three plants. 4. Water: Now is the time to get ready to provide recycled water for your garden. You could use a large barrel under a downspout to catch rainwater coming off your roof. At the bottom of the barrel, you could drill a hole and attached an outlet that a water hose can attach to. Then you will have readily available water to provide for your garden. 5. Soil: Now is a good time to have your soil tested to see what the pH is and what the nutrient levels are. Think now about composting to add natural fertilizer to your garden. You can start to gather mulch to add to your flower or vegetable gardens to retain moisture in your soil and retard weed growth. 6. Insectary: Bugs are an annoyance for every gardener. But did you know that you can actually do something to control bad insects without using nasty chemicals? Plan now, to build a little insect attracting insectary near your garden or even allow space within it. At first, you will attract not only good bugs, but bad as well, but eventually the predators will rule the day and keep your garden more healthy and bug free. This is a new concept for many, so you can learn more about insectaries and plan to control the bugs before they control your garden! Expert Page: Freelance native English writing services, proofreading and editing | 
