As the ground begins to thaw, now is a great time to prepare your garden in our area,
there are things you can do in preparation. Hopefully you left the leaves over your flower
and garden vegetable beds last fall. This provides the beds with much needed
insulation from the cold – especially if there is not a lot of winter snow. Leaving the
leaves also allows pollinators and other helpful insects a place to hibernate and shelter
during winter. Removing debris too early in spring (or in autumn) can disturb these
friends. You should hold spring garden clean up at least until the ground has begun to
thaw. For flower beds, it is best to wait until plants start to leaf out and temperatures
are consistently above 50 F. Another good sign is if you start to see common insects like
moths or gnats. If they are waking up, so are the pollinators.

While waiting to clean up your flower beds, you can inspect and clean your garden
tools. You can also prune trees and bushes that might need a good haircut. Always
research your plants first, but plants that bloom in late summer to autumn can usually
be pruned in spring while they are still dormant. Examples of these are dogwood,
ninebark, and winterberry. Apple and other fruit trees should not be pruned in spring,
due to the risk of spreading pathogens. Ornamental grasses should also be cut back to
make room for new growth.

Divide any perennials that need it. Dividing roots while the weather is still cool usually
yields excellent results, as plants will be less likely to suffer from heat and transplant
stress. Just be sure to research any plant for the best time and method before dividing
them.

Garden beds are usually mulched in either spring or fall, but many gardeners prefer to
mulch in spring since it keeps the mulch looking fresh throughout summer. Mulch keeps
weeds out of garden beds, but it also shields soil from the elements and provides extra
nutrients to plants as natural mulches break down. Wood and bark mulches are popular
for ornamental gardens, but compost and pine needle mulches are also common and
even more eco-friendly.

Compost does not just act as a mulch – it is also one of the best soil amendments
around. It provides a slow release of nutrients to plants as they grow. Compost can be
mixed into garden beds in spring before planting, or you can add compost to gardens as
a side dressing or top dressing.

Spring is also a great time to assess your soil.

A soil test will show if any nutrients are lacking. The University of Minnesota provides
soil tests (https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/) and will also direct how to optimally amend
your soil. Healthy soil is the foundation of a flourishing garden.
Cold hardy seeds such as radishes, carrots and kale can be planted outdoors as soon
as the ground can be worked – this means not frozen, and dry enough that it will
crumble in your hand and not form a ball.

This spring, Crow Wing Energized is focusing on resiliency, sleep and nutrition, and the
2026 Veggie of the Year is the carrot. The carrot (Daucus carota) is a root vegetable
often claimed to be the perfect health food. It is crunchy, tasty, and highly nutritious.
Carrots are a particularly good source of beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, potassium,
and antioxidants. Plus, they are low in calories. They also have several health benefits.
They have been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved eye health. What’s
more, their carotene antioxidants have been linked to a reduced risk of cancer. Carrots
are available in all colors, shapes, and lengths. Orange carrots get their bright color
from beta carotene, an antioxidant that your body converts into vitamin A.

2026 Veggie of the year: The Carrot!

Sow carrot seeds ½ inch deep and ¾ to 1 inch apart. Carrot seeds are slow to
germinate, and quite small – one oz. of carrot seed contains about 18,000 seeds! Thin to
4 to 6 plants apart in rows 16 to 24 inches apart. Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous
harvest.
Visit extension.umn.edu to learn more about any of the topics discussed in this article,
and Happy Spring!

By Crow Wing Master Gardener Volunteer Sandy Anderson