In the Midwest, spring means plenty of gloomy days and rain. But we also get to enjoy the most beautiful days with sunshine and warmer breezes.
Just like anything, it’s a bit of give and take. And I’ll take it. Especially on those sunny days.
And while it’s a bit early in the season for planting a lot in our Zone 5 property, I’m getting a head start on garden planning and planting with my favorite Monrovia plants. Because it’s never too early to add a pop of color.
And if the garden center has plants, it couldn’t possibly be too early. Am I right?
I knew I wanted something that would give me some spring color and blooms year after year.
So my first stop was peonies – the pretty white Shirley Temple peonies. These are fast growers – they need sun and a regular watering schedule. I also love that they give you color early in the spring.
And then I let Henry pick out some flowers for our pots on our patio. He turned to these pretty low plants with red blooms.
Are you in a cooler climate? Here are a few of my tips for early spring planting.
Tips for early spring planting in cooler climates
- Find a local garden center that carries a wide variety of healthy, beautiful plants. Monrovia plants at my local Lowe’s have been my go-to for the past two years because they look great all summer and have clear care inspections.
- Make sure to check the care instructions when you choose plants. I made sure that these were suitable for our Zone 5 weather. (And that I chose specific plants that will over-winter in our climate if planted in the ground.)
- Understand how to care of your plants. My favorite part of Monrovia plants is that the tags have very detailed care instructions, which makes this simple. I like to keep the tags in a bin in my garage for easy reference.
- Plant when the soil is frost-free and ready to turn. And if you are worried about the weather, you can cover the plant with mulch or dried leaves.
Are you planning your garden this spring? What’s on your list?
We just got our apple and peach trees in the ground over the weekend! It’s funny how it’s still too early for you to plant and it’s already on the late side here 🙂
I’m adjusting to not being able to grow flowers year-round up here in NC. It’s wonderful to see all the color burst through in spring.
I just started some sunflower seeds in little paper pots and am keeping them snuggly warm in the house until they can be placed outside.
Henry did a great job picking!
So fun! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂 My peonies are all starting to come up. I love the red color of the shoots before they turn green and bloom. Gets me excited for spring every time I see them!
We’re in zone 6 and I’ve waited to start planting. We just had a frost yesterday, but next week is operation get my planters filled! 🙂
I have been working on building my garden for the past few years. I have a raised bed that wraps around my side porch that I have layered with perennials and I plant some annuals every year.
This year I want to pull out 2 shrubs in the front of my house and plant some hydrangea’s all around that porch.
Our house is on the market, so my Spring projects are just keeping the weeds at bay and everything looking neat. I can’t wait to find a new yard, though! 🙂
My yard is bare! No plants, no grass. We’re hoping to plant a tree this year to get things growing!
I’ve already planted my herbs and now I want to start my veggies.
So excited for spring, can’t wait to see your yard!
Love, love, love this post! I am starting a garden, this spring and am in need of all of the mentorship & learning I can get!
We are just getting ready to plan what new plants we will be adding this year. We are cleaning up our beds and edging this weekend. Let the fun begin!
The year has a long long list of projects, but the backyard will include a new deck and lots of landscaping. I’m also hoping we can rip out the very overgrown front yard and plant hydrangeas!
I am sticking to container gardening for now (mostly house plants), but I transplanted a mint plant from my mom’s garden and havn’t killed it yet!
Have you considered taking a pic or scanning the care instructions instead? Saves space, and could make it easier to find the one you need in a pinch. 😉
That’s a great idea! I actually have a scanner on my phone!
we just expanded our flower beds in the back, and i need some base plants that stay green year round. i’d love to use this for some plants!
thanks,
b
We are looking to add some curb appeal, unfortunately the area we need it has an abundant amount of shade so we are looking for other options besides hosted. I love the hydrangea so hopefully we can find a perfect spot elsewhere in out yard!
I am just trying to keep my window boxes going this year – they usually burn up in July 🙁
Its been so rainy and miserable lately that I’m excited to get outside this weekend. It’s supposed to be warm and sunny! I’m incredibly lazy in the fall and tend to leave cleanup for spring. I clipped back most of the old growth on my perennials last weekend but have a few more beds to do before I can start planning what to move or replace
Love this post! I am looking forward to cleaning up an old flower bed, laying down some new mulch and planting some hydrangeas, as I need more color in the midst of all my evergreen bushes!
Spring time has me itching to be outside all the time! I’d like to do several things- get our veggie garden started, get some flowerbeds spruced up with new plants, fence off some garden areas. Would LOVE to win this!! 🙂
There are so many, but my first priority is revamping the area near our entryway. We removed a dying redbud last fall and I want to add some landscaping that can take an odd combination of shade and late afternoon sun and attract pollinators.
Hi all! Just moved to south TX and am in need of pretty and safe plants (pets and small children running about). Any help would be great!
I love Monrovia. I am ready for spring and some color.
The new construction is right in the middle of DEER COUNTRY in East Texas, so I have experimented with plants that deer apparently refuse to nibble – and lantana is one of those plants. As a bonus – it’s quite colorful, is low mounding, it rarely needs watering, and most of the time, comes back from the roots each spring. It’s a lazy gardener’s best friend !
We need to overhaul our front flower beds this spring… Right now they are just a mish mash!
Im needing to relocate the gardens this year….and create a couple new flower beds as well. I never run out of the need (yes need!) for new plants!
I’m so excited to see everything turning green and coming back to life! We built a new home 2.5 yrs ago and we have worked tirelessly to get the yard landscaped and looking like it’s NOT new construction!! We just need to add some more to our front yard for privacy & coziness – I’m envisioning an arbor with a gate, and a stone pathway from the street, as well as lush green shrubs all around, and a few more evergreens to offer year round privacy.
We always plant annuals on our deck and up the stairs and it’s about time to start thinking about it. I want things to look great by the time our youngest two graduate from high school in a few weeks. Outdoor party time!
Every time I try to enter I get this error message 🙁
Aw, shucks. We didn’t get your entry. Plz try again.
I need to make a raised vegetable bed for the summer
We have a huge spring project, removing all the rocks, washing and putting it all back. Not fun at all!!!