This morning, walking into my office, I noticed a pop of pastel color among mulched leaves in the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer-managed pollinator garden. The blooming hyacinths and daffodils were putting on an early show to bring light of what’s to come in a few short weeks! It’s time to put a little spring in our step and prepare for the spring gardens. 

• Plan what you are wanting to plant in your spring garden. Unsure of what to plant and when? Consult the NC State Extension Planting Calendar for inspiration and information about when and how to plant. 
• Secure your materials-Seeds, plants, raised bed soil, etc. I’ve been chatting with some local garden supply store owners as well as gardeners and I’m hearing similar patterns- some seeds are a little tricky to get a hold of these days. It could be the uptick in gardening interest! Be flexible, shop around and go ahead and get those materials. 
• Wanting a jumpstart? Consider starting seeds indoors in the next few weeks to have transplants ready to go outside after the last frost date, usually between April 1st and 15th.
• Evaluate your past gardening experiences- what worked well last year? What didn’t? What would you like to do differently this growing season? 
• Consider a gardening journal. Record-keeping is a great tool to use when planning your garden and landscape year to year and can help you make decisions about garden management based on past experiences. 
• Specific gardening questions? Do not hesitate to reach out to your local Extension office. Call 252-482-6585 to receive free assistance from the Horticulture Agent or Extension Master Gardener Volunteers.
• Lastly, make plans to visit the Albemarle Master Gardener Spring Garden Show on April 27th, from 9am to 3pm at the Perquimans Recreation Center. Here you will find a variety of vegetable transplants, landscape plants, garden decor, advice from Master Gardener volunteers and so much more! Visit for more details