Garden Valley

With winter upon us, we typically feel a little down in the dumps. We may even complain of having Cabin Fever. So this is the perfect time to start preparing your lawn and garden supply needs. After all, there is no better feeling than being outside tending to your lawn and garden on a warm spring day.

First you need a plan of action. What is the condition of your garden tools? It’s time to take stock of all your gardening equipment and see what kind of condition they are in. Take a look at your garden hoes, leaf rakes, shovels and spades. Do you need to sharpen your garden tools? What is the condition of the handles? Are they ready to use or do they need to be replaced?

Next, your lawn and garden irrigation needs. What is the condition of your water hoses, nozzles and sprinklers? Have you given any thought to a drip irrigation system for your flowerbeds and vegetable gardens? This is a great way to save you time and help you reduce your water bill.

Now that you have a list of your needs, it is time to put your plan into action. A good place to start is by visiting your local home and garden center or go to a home and garden show. These are great places to get ideas and to see what is new in the gardening market. But be careful, you may have the urge to buy something, so stop and think. It is best if you take notes on the things you see and like, then go home and compare your notes to your current inventory of lawn and garden supplies.

Now that you have done your research, it’s time to go shopping! Finding the right gardening tools, water hoses, lawn sprinklers and drip irrigation systems may take some time. So be patient and have fun with it. Keep in mind that quality is the key word here. You may pay more for quality gardening tools upfront, but in the long run it will save you time and money.

This is also a good time to think about your spring and summer relaxation needs. A nice garden bench or a lawn swing will give you a place to relax from your gardening chores and enjoy the fruits of your labor. You may even want to consider some garden accessories such as a decorative windmill, wind chimes, bird baths and bird feeders. These lawn and garden accessories can make your outdoor living space a wonderful place to retreat to after a long work day.

In conclusion, there is no better time than these cold winter days to start planning your outdoor spring and summer gardening needs. This will help boost your winter spirits and get rid of that Cabin Fever.

Dave Berning was born and raised on a dairy farm in Ohio. He still enjoys working the land both on the family farm and his own backyard and garden. He owns and operates a lawn and garden supply company with his brother Mark. Visit them at http://www.barnyardproducts.com/

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Filed under: Gardening on February 21st, 2010