Spring Garden Care Tips for the Pacific Northwest
Spring in the Seattle area means longer days, milder temperatures, and plenty of rain—perfect conditions for getting your garden ready for a beautiful and productive season! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, here are some essential spring garden care tips to help your yard thrive in our unique PNW climate.
1. Refresh and Prep Your Garden Beds
Winter can leave your garden beds looking a little rough, so now’s the time to clean up and refresh:
✅ Remove debris – Clear out fallen leaves, weeds, and dead plant material to prevent mold and pests.
✅ Turn the soil – Loosen compacted soil to improve drainage and aeration.
✅ Add fresh compost – Enrich your soil with organic compost to give your plants a nutrient boost.
🌱 Pro Tip: If your soil is too wet from rain, hold off on digging until it dries out slightly—otherwise, you risk compacting it even more!
2. Choose the Right Plants for Spring
The PNW is known for its cool, wet springs, so choosing plants that can handle the conditions is key. Some great early-season plants for our area include:
🌷 Flowers: Tulips, daffodils, hellebores, bleeding hearts, and primroses thrive in our climate.
🥬 Vegetables: Kale, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and peas can handle the cooler temps and love our rainy weather.
🌿 Herbs: Chives, parsley, thyme, and mint are great choices for a spring herb garden.
🌸 Pro Tip: Plant native perennials like sword ferns, salal, and trilliums to create a low-maintenance, eco-friendly garden that supports local pollinators!
3. Mulch for Moisture and Weed Control
Mulching is a must in the PNW! It helps regulate soil temperature, keeps moisture in, and suppresses weeds.
✔️ Use bark mulch, straw, or compost around flower beds and vegetable gardens.
✔️ Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around plants but keep it a few inches away from stems to prevent rot.
✔️ If you have raised beds, use straw or shredded leaves to keep soil from drying out on warmer days.
4. Prune and Trim for Healthy Growth
Spring is the best time to prune and shape many plants:
✂️ Trim dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs to encourage new growth.
✂️ Cut back ornamental grasses and perennials that went dormant over winter.
✂️ Prune fruit trees like apple and cherry to promote better air circulation and fruit production.
🌿 Pro Tip: Avoid pruning spring-blooming shrubs like rhododendrons and lilacs until after they flower—otherwise, you’ll cut off this year’s blooms!
5. Watch for Pests & Diseases
With all our spring rain, fungal diseases like powdery mildew and root rot can be a problem. Keep an eye out for:
🐌 Slugs & snails – Place copper tape around garden beds or use pet-safe slug bait.
🍃 Aphids – Spray with a mix of water and a few drops of dish soap to keep them at bay.
🍄 Fungal issues – Avoid overhead watering and prune plants for good airflow.
6. Get a Head Start on Your Lawn
If you want lush, green grass this summer, start prepping your lawn now!
🌱 Aerate compacted soil to improve drainage.
🌱 Dethatch if there’s a buildup of dead grass.
🌱 Overseed bare spots to encourage thick, healthy growth.
🌱 Use a slow-release organic fertilizer to give your lawn a boost without harming the environment.
7. Set Up Rainwater Collection
With all the rain we get in spring, why not take advantage of it? Installing a rain barrel helps you save water for dry summer months and keeps your garden hydrated naturally.
🌧️ Pro Tip: Place a rain barrel under a downspout and use the collected water to irrigate flower beds and vegetable gardens during dry spells.
Bottom Line
Spring is an exciting time to get your garden in shape, and with a little prep now, you'll enjoy a thriving outdoor space all season long! 🌼
Need recommendations for local nurseries, landscapers, or gardening resources? Feel free to reach out—I’d love to help!
Our go-to plant nursery is Flower World in Snohomish, WA! With an incredible selection of plants, a fun farm for the kids to explore, and fresh local produce, it’s the perfect weekend outing for garden lovers of all ages! Click here to check out there website for more details.
