Kocaeli Garden Calendar: 5 Golden Rules to Prepare Your Garden for Spring

How should you prepare your garden for spring in Kocaeli's humid climate? A pruning, spraying, and lawn care guide for Izmit and its surroundings for February and March.

The soil is waking up... As we leave Kocaeli's rainy winter behind, February and March are the most critical periods to prepare your garden for a vibrant summer. It is time to revitalize the soil and plants tired from Kartepe's cold or Izmit's humidity.

Here are 5 vital maintenance steps you need to take this month, from the perspective of a professional landscaper:

1. Don't Miss the "Final" Pruning Window

You must finish pruning before the trees fully wake up (before sap flow begins). Clean out dry and diseased branches to ensure high yield in fruit trees and lush flowering in ornamental plants.

Expert Tip: Do not forget to apply Bordeaux Mixture after pruning. This prevents fungal diseases caused by Kocaeli's humid air by 80%.

2. Aerate Your Lawn

Winter rains cause lawn roots to become airless and lead to moss growth. Clean the dead layer (thatch) with a rake or machine. This process allows the roots to breathe and absorb fertilizer better.

3. Feed the Soil: Time for Fertilization

Nutrients in the soil have been washed away by heavy rains. Apply base fertilizer (NPK) or organic fertilizer before the plants wake up. Strong roots mean plants that are resistant to summer heat.

4. Winter Cleaning and Weed Control

Fallen leaves and weeds that grow silently in winter are hubs for diseases. Clean the garden thoroughly. Clearing weeds before they drop seeds reduces your workload by half in the summer.

5. Test Your Irrigation System

Frost during winter may have caused cracks in automatic irrigation sprinkler heads. Run the system and check for leaks. Don't face unpleasant surprises in the summer heat.

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