19 Simple Spring Garden Ideas

Are you ready for the spring garden season? Whether you are an expert or just learning how to grow a garden, here are 19 simple spring garden ideas.

It’s almost here!

I am so excited about the arrival of spring, are you?

There’s nothing quite like seeing the bulbs and perennials break ground while trees and shrubs start to leaf out and bloom.

With my gardens being so new last year, I wasn’t sure what was there. So it was like Christmas morning for the gardener throughout the growing season. Each day was a new discovery of plants and flowers, many of which, I hadn’t grown before.

At the end of last year, I dug and divided so many perennials and moved them to gardens that needed some love.

So I am hoping the spring-like temps we’ve been having here in my gardening zone 6a, New Jersey climate sticks around so I can see what comes back and get started on the 2023 growing season.

Since spring is on the way, it’s time to prepare for the next growing season.

Here are 17 simple spring garden ideas.

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19 Simple Spring Garden Ideas

Spring is a season that is eagerly anticipated by garden enthusiasts around the world. After a long, cold winter, the arrival of warmer weather and longer days brings with it the promise of new growth and rejuvenation in the garden.

There is a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation as gardeners begin to plan and prepare for the upcoming growing season.

Whether it’s planting new flowers and vegetables, pruning existing plants, or simply enjoying the beauty of nature, there is something truly special about the experience of working in the garden in spring.

And with that, it’s time to start thinking about what you want out of the next growing season.

Are you growing a vegetable garden? Do you plan to start a new garden? Do you want to grow a cut flower garden? Or are you just maintaining what you already have?

Regardless of your garden goals this spring, here are some garden ideas to achieve what you want from this growing season.

Things to Do in the Garden This Spring

With the temperatures warming up, there is no better time to get back out into the garden.

Not sure where to begin?

Here are some ideas of things to do in the garden this spring.

Dig, Divide, and Transplant Perennials

Spring is a great time to dig, divide, and transplant perennials. Dividing plants promotes plant health and increases your garden stock for free!

But not all plants are good for dividing.

Before dividing any perennial plant, it is important to research the specific plant to determine whether it is suitable for division and to learn about the best techniques for dividing it.

In some cases, it may be best to simply propagate the plant through other methods, such as stem cuttings or seedlings, rather than attempting to divide it.

And while we are on the subject of dividing perennials, did you know that you can divide a hydrangea too?

YES!

I tried it a few years ago and got three more hydrangea plants from one. It was not hard to do, but you definitely need to muscle through those roots.

Spring Garden Clean-Up

Since I prefer to cut most of my perennials back after winter, spring garden clean-up can be a bit of a chore.

From picking up leaf and stick debris to cutting plants back to the ground, it’s time to clean out those beds to prepare for the next growing season.

CLICK HERE to get my spring garden checklist.

Keep Deer From Eating Plants Early On

If you live in an area where deer decimate plants like mine, then you need to start protecting plants as they emerge from the ground.

Deer are creatures of habit and if they learn early on they don’t like the taste of your plants, they will find a different route.

So early protection and maintenance are key to keeping deer from eating garden plants.

And while we are on the subject, this is the new two-prong approach I use that works REALLY well. I did it again here at the new house and it was very effective.

I’ve learned about a new to me deer repellent that is systemic rather than just acting as a topical application. Here’s the repellent I’m going to test out this season. It’s supposedly very effective against not only deer, but other critters too like rabbits and voles.

Keep Japanese Beetles and Grubs at Bay with This Lawn Care Organic Tip

Do you have a Japanese beetle problem? They can wreak havoc in the garden and wreck the foliage and blooms of plants. And their grubs can do a lot of damage in our lawns too.

Skip the pheromone traps that actually attract MORE to your garden than less and try this organic lawn care approach. I did it myself and it works very well.

Last year, we had Japanese beetles covering my hardy hibiscus here at the new house, so I not only overseeded the lawn with tall fescue but also applied milky spore as well.

Start a New Garden

If you are interested in starting a new garden, there are two ways to do it.

CLICK HERE to learn how to start a new garden bed or border digging out the grass.

But you can also save your back by using the no-dig method too. I’ve done this a few times now and it works very well!

There’s Still Time to Start Seeds

Whether you are growing a vegetable, flower, or herb garden, it’s not too late to start seeds indoors depending on what you want to grow.

To get a jump start on the season, you can start seed indoors. And the best part? You don’t need a greenhouse to do it.

Depending on your climate, there’s still time to sow seeds using the winter sowing method too. Save indoor seed starting space by starting some cold-tolerant varieties outdoors.

The Importance of Mulch and More

Every year, I mulch the gardens. It suppresses weeds, helps retain moisture, and overall soil quality.

While it can be pretty labor-intensive, it is worth topping off the gardens each year with some mulch.

CLICK HERE to learn about the importance of mulching the garden.

Start a Compost Pile

If you don’t have one already, start a compost pile in an unused area of your yard. Compost is super easy to make, keeps plants healthy, and improves soil health.

While you can buy it at the nursery, you can save so much money and recycle waste at the same time by making your own compost pile.

It’s not hard to do, but there are some do’s and don’ts as to what can go into a compost pile.

Make Leaf Mold

And while you are doing spring garden clean-up, don’t forget to keep those leaves to make leaf mold for the garden.

Adding leaf mold to the garden helps improve soil structure and retain moisture, keeping plants happy and healthy.

I realize it might not sound all that exciting, but it really does help grow a beautiful garden.

CLICK HERE to learn the importance of leaf mold and how to make it.

Spring Planting Ideas and Garden Design Tips

Each year, I’m asked how to grow a beautiful flower garden that can be enjoyed all season long. And the truth is, it is not that hard to do. But there are a few things to keep in mind.

Here’s what you need to know.

How to Grow a Colorful Garden With Everblooming Design

Looking for ways to grow an everblooming, colorful garden? It is truly the best to watch a flower garden grow, bloom, and change all season long.

And it’s easier done with plants that are low-maintenance.

CLICK HERE to learn how to grow a colorful flower garden that blooms from spring through fall.

If you are interested in growing flowers to cut this year, you’ve got to start a cut flower garden. It is so rewarding and fun to make fresh bouquets all season long.

While you can find some plants at the nursery, you’ll have much more available to you if you start your own seeds, either indoors or out.

And that might sound intimidating if you’ve never done it before. So I encourage you to try and direct sow something easy outdoors before going in on seed starting equipment inside.

There are lots of great flowers to direct sow outdoors that include:

• zinnias
• sunflowers
• cosmos
• calendula
• tithonia
• celosia and many others.

Planting Container Gardens

While you can plant pansies and cold tolerant annuals in early spring, most annuals are safe to plant after all danger of frost passes.

In my zone 6a garden, that’s typically around mid-May. Before purchasing plants, you’ll want to choose planters that match your aesthetic and budget.

If you are new to container gardening, I shared some basic design tips for beginners. As well as some tricks for successful gardening in planters too.

Here are some container garden ideas for spring!

to Learn how to plant a container garden in a few easy steps.

I love a pretty window box too, don’t you?

A few years ago, we added some pretty copper window boxes to the potting shed in my former garden and it looked so pretty!

CLICK HERE to learn how to design and plant flowers in a window box.

If you are not a fan of getting bit by mosquitos, did you know that there are certain plants that help keep them away?

YES!

Learn how to plant a mosquito repellent garden. And wait until you see my favorite mosquito repelling plant that kept the bugs away on the back porch all last summer.

How to Attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds to the Garden

Looking for ways to attract more pollinators to your garden?

You can plant your garden with flowers that will entice them to drop by and hang around. I enjoy watching these gorgeous creatures drop by each day.

When we moved, I was sad to think I was leaving my pollinator gardens behind. But I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there are probably 10x more here to enjoy.

The prior homeowner’s garden designer did a great job planning out the types of plants that attract them.

It’s not hard to design a pollinator garden either. Here are a few ideas to get you going.

• Learn how to create a butterfly garden.
• Plant these 10 easy-care plants that butterflies love.
• Learn how to create a garden that attracts hummingbirds.
• Plant these 9 easy-care plants that hummingbirds go crazy for!

5 Easy Ways to Grow a Cottage Garden

Are you interested in growing a cottage garden this year?

A cottage garden may include a variety of flowers such as roses, peonies, lavender, and daisies, as well as plants like hollyhocks, foxgloves, and delphiniums that add height and structure.

To create a relaxed, informal atmosphere, the plants are often allowed to spill over the edges of beds and mingle together, with a few whimsical garden ornaments, such as birdhouses or statuaries, scattered throughout.

Here are 5 quick ways to grow a cottage garden.

Create a Relaxing Zen Garden

Want to create a backyard haven to relax the body and calm the mind?

Backyard living spaces should be relaxing spaces to get away from the everyday. When we lived in our former home, we made our backyard as much of an oasis as we could given the property and space we had.

Since moving, this home has it all and one of my favorite outdoor living spaces is the backyard zen garden.

I never thought I needed a backyard zen garden before but now that we have one? We totally needed one.

But the best part is even the smallest of spaces can accommodate one.

Want to enjoy a backyard zen garden too?

Here are some ideas to get you started!

Add a Water Feature

Looking for ways to bring peace and serenity to an outdoor living space?

Add soothing sounds to your backyard by adding a water feature. Whether you add a pond or a small-scale water fountain, there are lots of ways to add the sounds of rippling water to a backyard living space.

Wait until you see these 27 water feature ideas that will accommodate any space or budget.

Spring Garden Tools and Garden Supplies

As a gardener, it’s so important to have the right tools and supplies readily available so you are ready to tackle whatever may come into the garden.

As plants emerge from the ground, you’ll want to start protecting susceptible plants that are prone to deer damage.

You’ll want to assess your garden tools, see what you need, clean and sharpen them, etc.

So it’s a great time to tackle these projects BEFORE the season is in full swing.

The 10 Best Garden Tools for the Beginner

If you are just starting out as a gardener, these are my favorite go-to garden tools that you will use over and over…and over again.

From pruners to weeding tools and garden shovels, this list has what you need to start your best gardening life.

67 Must-Have Spring Garden Supplies

But I’ve also got a great list of must-have garden tools and supplies that you may want to sift through to get you thinking about things you need to stock up on.

While you may have some items on this list already, you’ll want to restock some things you might not have.

CLICK HERE to see what supplies you need this spring garden season.

More About Spring Garden Ideas

Do you have specific things you like to do in your gardens in spring? I would love to know more in the comments below.

And don’t miss joining my Gardening DIY and Decorating Community on Facebook for more chatter. And follow along there and on Instagram as well. There are behind-the-scenes daily things that I share on Instagram that don’t make it to the blog. Would love to see you there too!

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Garden Supplies I Use

I’m often asked about the garden supplies and tools that I use most. From pruners to deer repellents, here are some of my favorites in no particular order.

• I like to use a good-quality garden soil, compost, and perlite when planting.
• I have used this deer repellent with great success. But now, I’m all about this deer repellent that is systemic instead of topical. This means the plant takes it in as opposed to it just smelling bad.
• Hands down this is my favorite hand-weeding tool. You can use to get underneath roots, loosen soil, and it cuts down on the weeding time because you work much faster.
• But I also love this long, stand-up weeding tool to really get around roses from afar.
• I like to use THIS ORGANIC FERTILIZER for roses because the blooms are more prolific and it’s organic.
• You’ll need a sharp set of pruners when working with plants and flowers. I buy a few so I can stash them around.
• Where pest and disease problems are concerned, I generally use this insecticidal soap or neem oil to help control infestations depending on the issue.
• This is my favorite set-and-forget slow-release fertilizer for houseplants, annuals, and container gardens.
• Whenever I stake my peonies or other plants, I generally use these grow through garden supports because they work really well and keep the blooms upright.

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