Your Guide to Spring Gardening 🌼
tips I've gathered over the years
Happy Sunday friends!
Spring has been off to a different start this year. For the past few days, I’ve been waking up to snow… in mid-April! A little crazy, but you can’t fight Mother Nature — she always does her own thing, especially in New England.
So, I’ve been leaning into the cozy vibes while winter makes this surprise return, but the forecast looks more promising for the week ahead. Fingers crossed that was just a fleeting cold snap and spring is truly here to stay!
On another note, with Earth Day just around the corner, it feels like the perfect time to re-share some spring gardening tips I’ve gathered over the years. They’re simple and practical, and I’m happy to help / answer any questions you might have! As this is one of my favorite topics :)
Where to Start?
My top piece of advice: know your soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden. Before you get too excited and start planting everything, take some time to understand your soil type and what it needs to be at its best.
Once you’ve picked a garden spot with good sunlight, access to water, and some protection from animals, consider doing a soil test. It’s like a wellness check-up—just like we get bloodwork done to check for nutrient deficiencies, a soil test shows what your garden may need to thrive.
Websites like Logan Labs offer soil testing services and worksheets to help you get started. This small step makes a huge difference in giving your plants the best possible care from the ground up.
What to Plant This Spring
Start with herbs and veggies that are easy to grow and low-maintenance—perfect for building confidence (and saving time).
Herbs to try:
Chamomile
Mint (in a pot—trust me on this one)
Cilantro
Calendula
Chives
Scallions
Dill
Veggies to try:
Radishes
Sugar snap or snow peas
Kale
Swiss chard
Arugula
Lettuce
Dandelion
And don’t forget—talk to your plants! ;)
Slow Down & Make a Plan
It’s so tempting to throw everything in the ground as soon as the sun comes out, but trust me—don’t rush it.
Planning makes a huge difference. Be sure to check your weather forecast and know your planting zone. Have backup plans for cold snaps (like frost covers) and make sure your watering system is in place.
Many people plant too early and lose crops to chilly nights—like those 30 degree mornings that love to sneak up in spring. A little patience now can save a lot of heartache later.
Attract Pollinators Early
One of the best things you can do for your garden—especially early in the season—is to make it pollinator-friendly. Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects are key to plant health and growth.
Plant early blooming flowers like calendula, yarrow, or borage to invite pollinators to your garden.
Skip the pesticides (please!) — your garden doesn’t need them, and they harm the good pollinators / bugs.
Even a small pollinator house or a little dish of water with pebbles can help support bees.
Simply creating a space that supports pollinators not only helps your garden thrive but also supports the bigger ecosystem.
A Few Ways to Boost Your Garden
If you’re feeling inspired, consider these bonus tips:
Add compost, mulch, and minerals to your soil to feed the microbes and keep your plants strong. I might regret admitting this, but I actually love spreading mulch—it’s a great way to channel stress into something productive, and it helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and nourish the soil.
Invest in a watering system. My favorite is drip-line irrigation (it’s efficient and easy to manage), but a good old-fashioned watering can works just fine for smaller spaces. Just make sure your plants stay watered!
If You’re Into Reading (and learning):
Here are some of my go-to resources:
The New Organic Grower by Eliot Coleman
Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar
The Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
The learning section on Fruition Seeds
And Don’t Stress Too Much
Gardening is one big lesson in patience, surrender, and joy. Nature has its own rhythm, and we’re just along for the ride. Trial and error is part of the process—some of my best results have come from unintentional “mistakes.”
Gardening will humble you, teach you, and give you the best kind of stories along the way.
Sending love to you and your garden this spring 🌱
Let me know what you’re growing or planning to plant—I’d love to hear!
Kenzie