We’re all feeling the pinch of close quarters these days. With family members working and schooling from home, we have less time to ourselves. As much as we love each other, taking a break from the togetherness, stress, and worry can help each of us to stay sane. One way to do this is to head out to the garden to work on spring garden chores.

Even if the weather is still cool, bundle up and get out into your garden. Time in your garden can clear your head of the stress. And give you some needed peace and quiet when the chaos and noise of your home begins to overwhelm you.

There are so many tasks that you can work on right now. Start by creating a schedule for yourself. Choose a time of day and make garden work a regular activity. Next, determine what you’re going to work on each day. Then consistently work on that project until it’s completed.

To get started, take a walk around your yard and garden. What jobs are needed to get your garden ready for the busy growing season? Here are some ideas of possible chores.

Spring Garden Chores…

Get Your Spring Beds Ready

There’s so much to do to get the vegetable and flower beds ready for planting. First, clean out last years’ plants if you didn’t do this last fall. Leftover seed heads and flower stalks, winter debris and early season weeds that have popped up, all need to be removed.

Next, add a layer of compost and steer manure to your soil. Lightly turn this into your soil, especially if you’re continuing to improve your soil texture. Or just leave the amendments sitting on top for the nutrients to work their way into the soil. If you already have rich, loamy soil then this will save you a step. Another benefit of not turning your soil is that you reduce the potential for weeds.

Design Your Beds

If you haven’t determined the plants to grow in your flower and vegetable beds, now is a good time to do that. Which beds will you be planting your vegetables in? It’s a good idea each year to rotate your crops, so think about last years’ garden and decide where to plant your tomatoes, beans, and peppers.

Have you purchased your seeds yet? For now, decide what flowers and vegetables to grow and arrange them on paper so you know the general layout. Then check out a few seed companies such as Burpee Seeds and Park Seeds to place an order.

Plant Some Cool-Season Crops

It’s not too early to plant vegetables that can handle a little cool weather. There are a variety of lettuces that can tolerate a late frost. Peas can handle the early spring weather as well as onions, garlic, and spinach. Rhubarb and asparagus are springing up in gardens all over.

If you live in a warmer climate where the temperatures are finished dipping below freezing, then you can start warmer season crops like broccoli, carrots, and potatoes.

Spring Clean Your Porch and Shed

Now is a good time to get your garden shed cleaned and organized for the season. Having your tools ready to go will make gardening so much easier. Your porch could probably use a good cleaning as well. Get rid of the cobwebs, leaves and other debris that have blown onto your porch. Sweep the floor, wipe your furniture down and wash the windows. Finally, hang a spring wreath on your door.

Prune Shrubs

If you haven’t gotten your summer-blooming shrubs ready to go, you can still trim them up. For now, leave the spring bloomers alone and just enjoy the floral show. But once the forsythia, lilacs, and quince are finished blooming, you’ll want to prune them as well.

Related: Prune Your Shrubs and Trees For Amazing Growth This Year

Clean Your Outdoor Areas

As you walk around your garden, have you noticed an accumulation of winter junk? It could be leaves, old pots or garden supplies left out. Clean up all these areas so by the time we’re able to host outdoor gatherings our garden will be sparkling.

You might also consider rearranging your outdoor areas. I like to think of my outdoor spaces like indoor rooms. And just like you might enjoy rearranging your furniture indoors, you might want to do that with your outdoor areas. This could also be an opportunity to create a new garden area to enjoy. But you’ll definitely want to spruce up the outdoor seating areas you already have.

Start Summer Projects Now

Although it’s still a little early to have your garden in full swing, you might be able to get a head start on some of the garden projects you have planned for the year. Are there any repairs you need to work on such as decks and fences? Are you planning a new pathway or seating area? With all the home time we have, getting started on these projects early will free up some of your garden time during the summer.

Start Hardy Annuals for Transplanting

You can begin planting hardy annuals indoors for transplanting later into the garden. In some areas, you could actually begin planting seeds in your garden beds. Here are some hardy annuals to plant now.

• Bachelor Buttons
• Bells of Ireland
• Foxglove
• Larkspur
• Oriental/Iceland Poppies
• Queen Ann’s Lace
• Snapdragons
• Stock
• Sweet Peas
• Sweet William

Create a New Flower Bed

Have you been thinking of expanding your cutting garden or adding in more space for vegetables? Take this time to create your new beds. You might need to remove grass or weeds. You’ll want to begin digging up and amending the soil. And you might need to surround the space with a fence.

Test the Viability of Your Older Seeds

If you have a stash of older seeds, take time to test them to make sure that they’ll germinate well. You can find directions for seed testing on this post…10 Ways to Get Your Garden Ready For Spring

Assess Your Outdoor Decorations

As you’re cleaning up the yard and garden areas, check out your summer gear. Garden rugs, pillows, and seating that have been stored for the winter can start to come out. Do you need to replace any faded cushions or pillows? Are your stackable chairs broken or sagging?

Make a list of all the things you’ll need to purchase. Although you might not run down to the store today, you can start looking online for ideas and maybe even order some items.

However, right now is a good time to save some money by recycling and reusing what we already have available. Do you have some leftover fabric to use to create your own pillow covers? Can you repair those chairs rather than buy new ones? Can you make a side table out of vintage crates rather than getting a new table? Be creative with what you have.

Craft Decor for Your Garden

This is the perfect opportunity to craft some garden decor. If you enjoy creating things but never seem to have time, then now is your time. Make some garden stakes to label your flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Paint a new garden sign to hang on your shed. Make a garden-inspired chalkboard out of an old picture frame or tray. Create garden chimes from old silverware.

Dig around in your shed and garage to see what things you might be able to repurpose for your garden. As you’re cleaning up the garden and shed who knows what treasures you might find to reuse. Finding things that you can repurpose will save you money and a trip to the store.

With all the “free” time we have this spring…the gardens of 2020 are going to be amazing. The produce you grow can fill your table and feed your family. The flowers will grace your indoor spaces. And the beauty you create in your yard and garden will be there for you to enjoy all season long.

So let’s get started. Spend some time each day out in your garden. Make your plan and stick with it to get some fresh air and time alone during this chaotic and stressful season of our lives.