This post is sponsored by the 3-IN-ONE® Multi-Purpose Oil
This spring garden prep list will give you some much needed tasks, to keep you busy, as you prepare for this year’s gardening season.
For those of us who live in a cold climate and like to garden, cabin fever can be a real problem. However, there are some things you can to do to get a jump on this year’s garden. Today I’m offering a few spring garden prep ideas so you can start gardening as soon as possible.
Here are 3 ideas for spring garden prep that you can do while you wait for the ground to thaw.
1. Assess damage and remove debris
Get out that rake and remove all the fallen branches, leaves, and other debris that has accumulated over the winter. Tamp down on any plants that may have heaved up over the winter.
2. Clean and Lubricate Garden Tools
Now’s the perfect time to attend to your tools. Good hand pruners can last for years, and that’s a good thing because they are quite expensive. However, I probably use them every single day during the gardening season and they are well worth it. Long handled loppers, and smaller hand saws come in handy when the season starts, as there is much pruning to be done.
Applying 3-IN-ONE Multi-Purpose Oil is perfect for lubricating the gears of your pruners, and all of your tools. The precision spout really helps get down into tight spots, without making a greasy mess everywhere.
It also works wonders for cleaning away rust build up. Just squirt on a little oil and polish away the rust with steel wool.
No more sticky, hard to use, rusty tools. A little 3-IN-ONE Multi-Purpose Oil has them all cleaned up and in great working order, ready for the season.
3. Start Pruning
Now that your pruners and loppers are ship shape, start pruning all your shrubs and trees. Start with pruning away any broken, damaged or diseases branches. Next trim back crossing branches, old blooms, and seed heads. Finally, prune for aesthetics, shaping your garden to your own preference. Note: be careful not to prune shrubs that are getting ready to bloom in the spring or you just might trim away all your flowers. If you’re not sure check out this handy pruning graphic.
Bonus— Start your spring garden prep now with this free Garden Planning Shopping List.
Click on the image above to download this guide for your own personal use. For more tips, follow 3-IN-ONE on Facebook and Instagram.
You can find 3-IN-ONE® Multi-Purpose Oil at most big box stores and hardware stores, including Walmart. To find it at a store near you or online click here.
Nancy Sargent
Hey Patti,
These are all great ideas. And my yard and tools are in much need of attention. I love the tip on cleaning the rust off your tools with the 3-in-one oil. I have a nice pair of Felco pruners that I let get rusty!!! Dang it! I will be taking your advice and working on them! Thanks
Patti Estep
Oh Nancy, we all do it and the cleaning part is never fun but you’ll be glad that you did it. My pruners are so much easier and don’t stick at all since I oiled and cleaned them.
Stella
Preparing garden for Spring–it is one of my favorite activities. I don’t have all the tools shown here, though, I manage to handle it with available tools.
Patti Estep
I can’t wait to get out into the garden. You don’t have to have fancy tools to enjoy, but the 3-in-one oil is an affordable resources that is a big help and will allow you to keep your tools in good shape for a long tim
Mary
I may not be very good at gardening but I certainly like to have my tools cleaned and oiled. You never know when you’ll need them for any sort of job and if they are rusted then it will surely slow down your work. This looks like a great product.
Patti Estep
Yes. This works on all kinds of tools, hinges and moving parts. A great product to have at hand.
maria
this is great info! lots of work but its great preparation.
Maria
Patti Estep
You are so right Maria. A little prep work and then you get to reap the rewards.
Barbara Chapman ~ French Ethereal
Hi Patti! I do love 3-in1 oil for cleaning my tools {something I did just before we moved from our house but haven’t done since… Eek!}. It’s good for oiling your sewing machine, too. 🙂
Thank you for the reminder that I need to do this!
Barb 🙂
Patti Estep
Thanks for the info on the sewing machine. I probably need to add some to mine too.
Michelle Meyer
Good information of taking care of garden tools. Great post!
Patti Estep
Thanks Michelle. Just a few reminders that we all tend to forget from time to time.
Julie Briones
Great post, Patti! Love the tip on cleaning the gardening tools… and the freebie is VERY nice! Thank you!
Patti Estep
I’m so glad you like the tips, Julie and I hope the freebie is a big help too.
Rita Joy @ Harbour Breeze Home
Yes! This time of year makes me itch to get outside and see some pretty blooming flowers. And your pictures made me want to go dig in some dirt. 🙂 Thanks for the tips on how to get the tools all ready to go.
Patti Estep
Pretty soon Rita. I know I can’t wait. It’s sunny here today but we are expecting rain so I’m working on cleaning just about everything including all my tools.
Nikki Gwin
YAY for spring! I was outside all weekend. Cleaning, weeding, mowing, just enjoying!
🙂 gwingal
Denise
I’m going to forward this to my husband because he has been itching to get his vegetable garden going. I was looking at his tools just yesterday and thinking that he needed some new ones but now I think he just clean them up. Anyway, great post!
Patti Estep
I”m glad you liked it and yes anything you can give to your partner to lighten the load is a good idea. I bet his tools are just fine but need a little maintenance. Something we all too often forget.
Carole West
Oh wow number two I always forget and I’m not sure why probably because I only skip about two months of use as our winters are rather short. Great tips and thanks for the reminder. I got my flower beds filled yesterday and think I will plant them today because rain is coming.
Patti Estep
Yes. You are a lucky one with a short winter. I am going to stop and pick up a few pansies which is all that’s for sale this time of year around here. Happy Planting!