10 Spring Garden Tips

Ten tips for Spring garden success 

1. Plan for Fall Interest—Don’t Let Your Garden Fizzle Out

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of spring and buy plants that look great now. But to keep your garden vibrant all season long, think ahead to fall. Choose late-blooming perennials like asters, plants with striking autumn foliage, or warm-season ornamental grasses that add movement and structure. By planning for year-round beauty, your garden will remain dynamic and engaging even as your focus shifts to other seasonal activities.

 2. Plant at the Right Time: Soil Temperature Matters

In early spring, resist the urge to plant vegetables too soon. Each plant has an ideal soil temperature for germination and healthy root development. Use a soil thermometer to ensure the ground is warm enough—cool-season crops like lettuce and peas thrive in 40–50°F soil, while tomatoes and squash need at least 60°F.

Perennial plants are a different story. Many of them can (and prefer to be) planted in the fall or winter when they are dormant. That way they wake up as spring begins, and you reduce their transplant shock. This applies to the vast majority of northwest natives and woody shrubs & trees. The exceptions to this are warm season plants (think Mediterranean herbs, warm season grasses, and some perennial flowers) that have more success when planted at the start of spring. These plants need time during their first summer to store energy in their roots to survive the winter. 

3. Stay Ahead of Weeds Before They Take Over

Spring weeds emerge fast, and if they go to seed, they multiply exponentially. Start weeding early when the soil is damp and the weeds are small, making removal easier. A thick layer of mulch (applied in fall or early spring) helps suppress new weeds by blocking light. Focus on aggressive spreaders like chickweed and bittercress before they set seed. While a layer of woody mulch (bark mulch or wood chips) is good, the best strategy is a living mulch of plants. There is no bare soil in nature - and by planting in such a way that you shade out the soil and outcompete the space for weeds, you drastically reduce the amount of weeding you have to do. Your future self will thank you.

4. Rotate Annual Crops to Reduce Pests and Disease

Avoid planting the same vegetable crops in the same spot year after year. Crop rotation disrupts pest life cycles and helps prevent soil-borne diseases. For example, tomatoes and potatoes are susceptible to the same pathogens—rotating them to different beds each season reduces the risk of infestation. Keep a simple garden journal to track plant placements and ensure proper rotation, or snap a photo you can refer back to the next year. 

5. Lower your maintenance by choosing the right plants for your space

The beauty of living in Western Oregon is that so many different plants grow well here. However, every yard has its own micro climate & conditions that will put constraints on what wants to  grow in your particular space. Some people spend vast amounts of energy trying to get the plants they want to have to grow in their yard, even when the conditions aren’t appropriate. They modify their soils, prune existing trees to let in more light and drain wet areas. But by understanding the unique features of your space and selecting plants that thrive in those conditions, you stack the deck in your favor and set yourself up for success. Simply answer the following questions: 

• Shade or sun? 
• Does the ground drain well (like on a sloped yard) or does water pool when it rains? 
• What else is growing well here? 
• Water availability?

If you answer those questions, you’ll be better able to select plants that thrive in that environment.

6. Prune at the Right Time for Healthier Plants and More Blooms

Most woody plants and fruit trees should be pruned in late fall or winter (while dormant) to promote strong new growth. However, spring-blooming shrubs like lilacs, camellias, and azaleas should be pruned after they finish blooming. This allows them to set buds for the next season, ensuring you'll get the best possible blooms for next year.

7. Avoid Overwatering—Spring Soil Holds More Moisture Than You Think

In western Oregon, spring soil often retains moisture for weeks or even months after the last rain. Just because the sun is shining doesn’t mean plants need extra water. Check the soil a few inches down before watering—if it’s still damp, hold off. Overwatering can lead to root rot and weak plants. As temperatures rise, gradually adjust your watering schedule based on soil conditions, not the weather.

8. Support Pollinators with a Diverse Mix of Blooming Plants

Pollinator habitat is a top priority for many gardeners, and for good reason. To attract and sustain a variety of pollinators, plant a diverse mix of flowers that bloom at different times. Early bloomers like Oregon grape and crocus provide nectar in spring, while late-season flowers like asters and goldenrod keep pollinators fed into fall. Choose native plants whenever possible to support local bee and butterfly species.

9. Avoid Over-Fertilizing—Let the Soil and Weather Work for You

Applying synthetic fertilizers too early in the season is often a waste—nutrients in the soil aren’t always available to plants until the ground warms up, and sometimes fertilizer will wash away before plants can use it. Overuse of quick-release fertilizers, like “weed & feed”  type products, can also lead to nutrient runoff, polluting waterways. Instead, opt for slow-release organic fertilizers such as alfalfa meal, chicken manure, or compost-based blends. These break down gradually, nourishing plants over time without harming the environment.

10. Start earlier than you think: Build Healthy Soil in Fall for a Thriving Spring Garden

Healthy spring gardens start months earlier. In fall, apply compost and mulch to enrich the soil, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. By spring, your soil will be nutrient-rich and ready for planting. The small living organisms that make up soil biology are a powerful engine, producing the bulk of plant available nutrients. By feeding the soil in the fall, you help provide conditions for those organisms to thrive once soil temperature starts to increase in the Spring. If you didn’t have a chance to do your prep work, that’s OK… top dressing with quality compost before planting will help inoculate microbes and provide a boost to establishing plants. Check out Veggieboost from Lane Forest Products or the Organic Compost from Rexius. Both composts can be used for both perennial plants & vegetables.