As the winter chill slowly loosens its grip on us here on Cape Cod, gardeners are eager to get their hands in the soil and prepare for a vibrant, thriving landscape. While it may still be a bit too early to plant summer vegetables and delicate flowers, now is the perfect time to lay the groundwork for a flourishing garden. By focusing on early fertilization, cold-hardy veggies, soil preparation, and strategic perennial planting, you’ll set yourself up for a lush, healthy, and productive growing season. Here’s what our Agway team recommends that you do now to wake up your garden for spring and summer success.
Start with a Soil Check
Make sure you’re working with a strong foundation in your garden! Before you plant anything, it’s crucial to know what’s happening beneath the surface. The health of your soil is the foundation of a successful garden. On Cape Cod, sandy soil dominates, which can make it tricky to foster nutrient retention and efficient water management. A soil test will help you determine pH levels, nutrient deficiencies, and overall soil content.
How To Check Your Soil
- Pick up a DIY soil testing kit from a local garden center, such as Agway Cape Cod, or send a sample to the UMass Soil Testing Lab
- Take care of your soil based on the results. Cape Cod soils often need organic matter like compost or aged manure to improve structure and fertility
- Adjust pH levels if necessary. Many Cape Cod gardens benefit from lime applications to counteract any heightened acidity
Apply Early Fertilizers & Soil Boosters
A slow start in spring can set the tone for a sluggish summer, so give your garden an early boost now with the right fertilizers. Our unusually sandy soil tends to churn through nutrients quickly, so it’s important to replenish essential elements before the growing season kicks into high gear.
Best Early Fertilizers for Cape Cod Gardens
- Organic compost – A natural way to add nutrients and improve soil structure. If you’ve been composting this winter, you’re already 10 steps ahead!
- Slow-release balanced fertilizers (10-10-10 or 5-10-10) – Ideal for feeding perennials, shrubs, and early-season crops
- Fish emulsion and seaweed fertilizers – These provide quick-acting nitrogen and essential micronutrients, especially beneficial for leafy greens and early veggies
Plant Cold-Hardy Vegetables
Don’t wait until May to start planting! There are plenty of cool-season crops that thrive in Cape Cod’s early spring temperatures. These vegetables can handle cool soil and even light frosts, making them perfect for getting a jumpstart on your edible garden.
Best Cold-Hardy Vegetables to Plant Now:
- Leafy greens: Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and lettuce
- Root vegetables: Carrots, radishes, and beets
- Alliums: Garlic, scallions, and onions
- Peas and broccoli: These thrive in early spring and can be started as soon as the soil is workable
For the best results, start seeds indoors in February or early March and transplant seedlings into the garden when temperatures allow. Using row covers or cold frames can help extend the growing season even further.
Wake Up Your Perennials
Perennials are the backbone of Cape Cod gardens, returning year after year with minimal maintenance. However, they do need a bit of early-season attention to ensure they thrive through the summer. Start focusing in on these now!
Early-Season Perennial Care Checklist:
- Cut back dead foliage from last year’s growth to encourage new shoots
- Divide overgrown perennials like hostas and daylilies to rejuvenate plants and create new garden additions
- Apply mulch around perennials to retain moisture and suppress early weeds
- Feed with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for flowering plants
If you’re looking to add new and different perennials to your garden, now is a great time to plant early bloomers like hellebores, creeping phlox, and bleeding hearts. These will provide color before summer flowers take center stage.
Prune & Prep Shrubs and Trees
Late winter and early spring are ideal for pruning many trees and shrubs, as they are still dormant but about to enter a period of active growth. Proper pruning and the right timing improves plant health, encourages better flowering, and shapes your landscape for the season ahead.
Pruning Tips:
- Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches
- Shape shrubs like hydrangeas and roses, but be mindful of when they bloom (avoid cutting old-wood bloomers too early)
- Thin out overgrown branches to create space for air circulation and light penetration
Plan for the Perennial Season
Our Agway garden centers (Orleans, Chatham, & South Dennis) come alive in spring with a fresh selection of perennials. If you’re planning to expand your flower beds this year, now is the time to strategize and lay the foundation.
What to Consider When Choosing Perennials:
- Bloom time: Plan a mix of early, mid, and late-season bloomers for continuous color
- Sun vs. shade: Match plants to the right light conditions in your yard
- Drought tolerance: Summers on Cape Cod can be dry, so consider water-wise plants like lavender, coneflowers, and black-eyed Susans
- Pollinator-friendly varieties: Native plants like milkweed, bee balm, and butterfly weed support our local wildlife
Get Your Garden Tools & Beds Ready
Before the growing season is in full swing, take stock of your garden tools and structures. Visit any of our Agway locations to restock and get advice on which tools you might need. You can browse our entire shop online here.
- Clean and sharpen pruners, shears, and shovels
- Repair or replace garden trellises, raised beds, and fencing
- Refresh mulch and edge garden beds for a tidy appearance
- Start a compost pile or refresh your compost bin for organic material recycling
It’s Preen Season! Prevent Weeds Before They Start
Early spring is the perfect time to apply Preen, a pre-emergent weed preventer that stops weeds before they sprout. Applying Preen now will reduce the amount of time you spend battling weeds later in the season, keeping your garden beds looking pristine.
How to Use Preen Effectively:
- Apply it after mulching: Spread Preen over freshly mulched beds to create a barrier against weed germination
- Water it in: Light watering helps activate the product, ensuring it penetrates the top layer of soil
- Use it around established plants: Preen works best when applied to areas where desired plants are already growing, preventing unwanted competition from weeds
Wake Up Your Garden Now
By taking these proactive steps now, you’ll ensure your garden is in top shape when the warmth of late spring and summer arrives. From testing and fertilizing the soil to planting early veggies and prepping perennials, every task you complete now brings you closer to a vibrant and thriving outdoor space. Our unique coastal (and wonderful!) climate offers an exciting gardening challenge. With the right preparations, your landscape will burst into life, rewarding you with months of color, flavor, and beauty.
So, grab your gloves and get started. Spring is right around the corner, and your garden is ready to wake up!