Spring is planting season – time to head out into the garden!

When the first rays of sunshine reappear and the air starts to smell like spring, it’s high time to dust off your gardening gloves and tools and bring them out of the shed. The gardening season is starting again!

That means one thing above all: it’s time to start thinking about how you want your garden to look this season. As soon as the weather becomes more stable, it’s time to get to work. Many plants are ready to be planted!

Now is the perfect time for summer bloomers to prepare for their big show. That means, first and foremost: bulbs and tubers need to be planted. But timing is key—it all depends on the temperature. Not all bulbs and tubers can handle late frosts. Hardy lilies can go into the ground as soon as the soil has thawed. Dahlias, on the other hand, should only be planted after the Ice Saints in May, as their tubers are sensitive to frost.

To make sure your garden flourishes in summer, it’s important to plan ahead: which flowering bulb will bloom where? Also, consider the specific needs of each plant. Do they love full sun? Do they need lots of space or just a little? All of this should be thought out now, so summer can start blooming right on schedule.

If you don’t want to wait until summer for colorful blooms, early-flowering shrubs are a great way to bring vibrant color into the garden right now. Container plants can be planted almost any time of year, as their well-developed fibrous root systems make them less sensitive to cold—even if the ground is frozen when they’re already in bloom. However, since it’s difficult to dig large enough holes in frozen soil to accommodate the root balls, the ground should be frost-free before planting.

Some of the most beautiful early bloomers include magnolias, rhododendrons, and the copper serviceberry. Before planting these beauties, it’s important to carefully consider their preferred location, as each plant has its own specific needs.

Spring is the time to make many important decisions for the summer—including planning your perennial bed. Perennials are best planted in either spring or fall. Before planting, be sure to clear the soil of weeds and water the plants thoroughly while still in their pots. In the bed, perennials should be planted at the same depth they were growing in the container.

Until they are well established, they should be watered regularly and kept evenly moist. At the start of the gardening season, the range of container-grown perennials is huge, offering the perfect plant for every spot in the garden. The key to success is paying attention to each plant’s specific needs. Do that, and nothing will stand in the way of a blooming summer garden.