Ten Tips for Spring Garden Success
Spring is here, and it’s finally time to start working on the garden beds around your home. Maybe you’re a new gardener and don’t know where to begin—or maybe you’re just looking for something new to try in your garden this year. Either way, Ridgeline is happy to be joined by Phillip Farris, from Eugene Garden Coach, who’s here to offer you ten tips for spring gardening in the valley.
1. Plan for Fall Interest—Don’t Let Your Garden Fizzle Out After Summer
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of spring and buy plants that look great now. But, to make sure your garden is vibrant all season long, now is the time to be thinking about fall. Choose to plant some late-blooming perennials like asters, plants with striking autumn foliage, or warm-season ornamental grasses that add movement and structure to your garden. By planning for year-round beauty, your garden will remain dynamic and engaging even as your focus shifts to other seasonal activities.
2. Plant at the Right Time: Soil Temperature Matters
In early spring, resist the urge to plant vegetables too soon. Each plant has an ideal soil temperature for germination and healthy root development. Use a soil thermometer to ensure the ground is warm enough—cool-season crops like lettuce and peas thrive in 40–50°F soil, while tomatoes and squash need at least 60°F.
Perennial plants are a different story. Many of them can (and prefer to be) planted in the fall or winter when they are dormant. That way they wake up as spring begins, and you reduce their transplant shock. This applies to the majority of northwest natives, woody shrubs & trees. The exceptions to this are warm season plants (think Mediterranean herbs, warm season grasses, and some perennial flowers) that have more success when planted at the start of spring. These warm season plants need time during their first summer to store energy in their roots to survive the winter.
3. Stay Ahead of Weeds Before They Take Over
Spring weeds emerge fast, and if they go to seed, they multiply exponentially. Start weeding early when the soil is damp and the weeds are small, making removal easier. A thick layer of mulch (applied in fall or early spring) helps suppress new weeds by blocking light. Focus on aggressive spreaders like chickweed and bittercress before they set seed. While a layer of woody mulch (bark mulch or wood chips) is good, the best strategy is a living mulch of plants. There is no bare soil in nature, and by planting in such a way that you shade out the soil and outcompete the space for weeds, you drastically reduce the amount of weeding you will have to do. Your future self will thank you.
This north Eugene gardener enjoys full blooms and the birds they attract through the fall by carefully planning their plant succession with these perennials. Photo courtesy of Phillip Farris
4. Rotate Annual Crops to Reduce Pests and Disease
Avoid planting the same vegetable crops in the same spot year after year. Crop rotation disrupts pest life cycles and helps prevent soil-borne diseases. For example, tomatoes and potatoes are susceptible to the same pathogens—rotating them to different beds each season reduces the risk of infestation. Keep a simple garden journal to track plant placements and ensure proper rotation or snap a photo you can refer back to the next year.
5. Lower Your Maintenance by Choosing the Right Plants for Your Space
The beauty of living in Western Oregon is that so many different plants grow well here. However, every yard has its own microclimate & conditions that will put constraints on what wants to grow in your space. Some people spend vast amounts of energy trying to get the plants they want to have to grow in their yard, even when the conditions aren’t appropriate. They modify their soils, prune existing trees to let in more light, and drain wet areas. But by understanding the unique features of your space and selecting plants that thrive in those conditions, you stack the deck in your favor and set yourself up for success. Simply answer the following questions about the site:
- Does it mostly have shade or sun?
- Does the ground drain well (e.g. sloped yard) or does water pool when it rains?
- What else is growing well here?
- What’s my water availability during the dry season?
- If you answer those questions, you’ll be better able to select plants that thrive in that environment.
6. Prune at the Right Time for Healthier Plants and More Blooms
Most woody plants and fruit trees should be pruned in late fall or winter (while dormant) to promote strong new growth. However, spring-blooming shrubs like lilacs, camellias, and azaleas should be pruned after they finish blooming. This allows them to set buds for the next season, ensuring you’ll get the best possible blooms for next year.
Still in their first year after planting, these plants are quickly filling in the open ground and will help reduce future weed pressure as they continue to mature. Photo courtesy of Phillip Farris
7. Avoid Overwatering—Spring Soil Holds More Moisture Than You Think
In western Oregon, spring soil often retains moisture for weeks or even months after the last rain. Just because the sun is shining doesn’t mean plants need extra water. Check the soil a few inches down before watering—if it’s still damp, hold off. Overwatering can lead to root rot and weak plants. As temperatures rise, gradually adjust your watering schedule based on soil conditions, not the weather.
8. Support Pollinators With a Diverse Mix of Blooming Plants
Pollinator habitat is a top priority for many gardeners, and for good reason. To attract and sustain a variety of pollinators, plant a diverse mix of flowers that bloom at different times. Early bloomers like Oregon grape and crocus provide food sources in spring, while late-season flowers like asters and goldenrod keep pollinators fed late into fall. Choose native plants whenever possible to support local bee and butterfly species.
9. Avoid Over-Fertilizing—Let the Soil and Weather Work for You
Applying synthetic fertilizers too early in the season is often a waste—nutrients in the soil aren’t always available to plants until the ground warms up, and sometimes fertilizer will wash away before plants can use it. Overuse of quick-release fertilizers, like “weed & feed” type products, can also lead to nutrient runoff, polluting waterways. Instead, opt for slow-release organic fertilizers such as alfalfa meal, chicken manure, or compost-based blends. These break down gradually, nourishing plants over time without harming the environment.
10. Start Earlier Than You Think: Build Healthy Soil in Fall for a Thriving Spring Garden
Healthy spring gardens start months earlier. In fall, apply compost, mulch and leaves from your trees to enrich the soil, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. By spring, your soil will be nutrient-rich and ready for planting. The small living organisms that make up soil biology are a powerful engine, producing the bulk of plant available nutrients. By feeding the soil in the fall, you help provide conditions for those organisms to thrive once soil temperature starts to increase in the spring. If you didn’t have a chance to do your prep work this year, that’s okay; top dressing with quality compost before planting will help inoculate microbes and provide a boost to establishing plants. Check out Veggieboost from Lane Forest Products or the Organic Compost from Rexius. Both composts can be used interchangeably for perennial plants & vegetables.
Thanks for the tips, Phillip! When Phillip Farris isn’t prepping garden beds and growing plants, he’s helping homeowners connect their landscape projects with the ecological realities of where we live as the Eugene Garden Coach. To learn more about what he does and how he can help you create climate-resilient gardens using naturalistic design, visit his website at https://www.eugenegardencoach.com