While the rewards are enormous, there are a lot of things to do to get your garden in shape come springtime. A little preparation and attention to detail will result in a spectacular display.

Swipe through to learn what you should do to ensure your garden looks its very best.

Pruning

Prune any shrubs and bushes you didn’t get to before winter, but only the ones that don’t bloom in springtime. If they’re already blooming, just let them be beautiful and prune them next fall. You’ll also want to cut back any ornamental grasses you didn’t do during winter.

Weeds

Stay on top of your weeds. Odds are, unwanted plants have begun springing up in your garden beds already, and you'll want to jump on them right away, because weeds can very quickly get way out of hand.

Fertilizer

Add fertilizer to your garden beds. Side dress existing beds, and mix fertilizer into beds you plan to plant this spring. Pay attention to the types of plants you’re nourishing and add the right fertilizer to meet their needs.

Mulch

Add mulch to existing flower beds. Last year’s mulch almost certainly needs a refresh. Over the course of the year, mulch biodegrades or gets washed away, so you’ll want to top the old mulch with a fresh layer.

Hardscaping

Check your hardscaping. Border stones can become loose or knocked out of line. Stepping stones may need to be reseated, and retaining walls may need to be shored up. Try creating a new path leading to a new garden bed, just to spruce things up a bit.

Pest Control

Springtime is pest time. Annoying and harmful bugs are everywhere, and you may need to treat areas to get rid of them. Consider using diatomaceous earth, a natural pest control product that isn’t harmful to the environment.

New Plants

The best part of spring gardening is planting! Head to the garden center and stock up on plants to fill holes or create new beds. Take care to select plants that are native or adapted to your area. Pay attention to water and sun requirements.