Can you believe that March is already here? Before we know it, spring will come to an end and summer will be in full swing. We can’t wait! The team here at Ace Hardware of Fort Collins loves everything that comes with warm weather – time spent outside with friends & family, sunshine & blue skies, and especially working in our gardens.
While gardening might seem like the most natural activity in the world, it does take time to learn how to cultivate your garden well. We carry a variety of gardening essentials in our stores and online. Whether you are an experienced horticulturist with a green thumb or a novice gardener trying to grow your own food or flowers for the first time, Ace has you covered with everything you need to bring new life to your garden and landscaping.
If you’re unsure what you can do now to prepare your garden, read on for a few of our favorite tips, tricks & product recommendations!
Plan your garden
You have nearly unlimited options when it comes to what you can grow in your garden! If this feels overwhelming to you, never fear – there are many online tools that can help you to think through what you’d like your garden to look like.
The Farmer’s Almanac has excellent (and free!) online garden planning tools. Visit their website for access to plant growing guides, gardening calendars, frost dates and more!
Purchase and Organize your Seeds
After you decide what you’d like to grow, it’s time to purchase and organize your seeds. Ace offers a wide variety of seeds and summer-flowering bulbs (i.e. gladiolus) to ensure your garden—both of the flower and vegetable varieties—will flourish throughout the year!
Clean out your Garden Beds
It’s important to clean out your garden beds from last season as you prepare to garden again. Dead plants, weeds, and mildewy leaves can be unhealthy for new growth.
Radius Garden Root Slayer 12.75 in. Carbon Steel Hand Trowel Poly Handle
With a new flared handle for extra comfort, this Root Slayer Shovel also works as a trowel. It boasts a twine cutter notch that doubles as a bottle opener, and comes in a durable nylon holster. This trowel works like a dream – you’ll never find a sturdier trowel to rip through roots and difficult soil. Strap the holster over your belt so you always have access to this handy tool.
Ace 57 in. 16 Tine Steel Bow Rake Fiberglass Handle
The Ace bow rake is designed to loosen and level soil. The 16 steel tines work hard to break up hard, compacted soil or mulch and spread the material evenly. It is a handy accessory for homeowners with any landscaping and gardening requirements.
Ace Steel Garden Hoe 54 in. Fiberglass Handle
The Ace garden hoe is ideal for chopping, weeding and clearing garden growth. The blade is thicker at the center for strength and sharper at the edges for cleaner cutting. The blade is forged from one solid piece of steel for years of service.
Ace Poly Residential Wheelbarrow 6 cu ft
The Ace Brand wheelbarrow comes with 6 cubic feet of hauling capacity, is ideal for homeowners, landscapers and light construction work. This 6 cubic foot poly tray will never rust or corrode and is designed to provide years of service. Around the house or on the job, this is the right wheelbarrow for the job.
Prune your Garden
Pruning any existing plants in your garden will help to ensure new blooms and a more healthy appearance. Trees, bushes, shrubs, and many smaller plants all benefit from regular pruning.
Fiskars Carbon Steel Bypass Pruners
This reliable pruner is ideal for a variety of general pruning tasks. A fully hardened, precision-ground steel blade stays sharp longer and a rust-resistant, low-friction coating makes cutting easier. A self-cleaning sap groove keeps the blades from sticking and the handle includes non-slip grips. All-steel construction provides long-lasting durability.
Milwaukee M12 FUEL 6 in. 12 V Battery Pruning Saw Kit (Battery & Charger)
This pruning saw kit delivers unmatched control and access, and has the power to cut 3 in. hardwoods and delivers up to 120 cuts per charge. This electric pruning saw is designed to meet the ergonomic, performance and durability needs of landscape maintenance professionals. Weighing less than 5 lbs. and featuring a compact design, the cordless pruning saw gives you increased control and maneuverability in tight access areas.
Sharpen, Clean, or Replace your Gardening Tools
Your tools have likely been sitting in a garage or shed for several months. Rusty, dirty gardening tools can sometimes spread soil-borne diseases, putting your happy plants at risk. Take some time to clean and sharpen your tools, and check to see if there are any tools that need replacing. Your future self will thank you once gardening season is in full swing!
AccuSharp Gloss Tungsten Carbide 1 stage Knife and Tool Sharpener
AccuSharp Knife Sharpeners will not rust, and can be cleaned with soap and water or in the dishwasher. Replacement sharpening blades are available.
Rhodes American 0000 Grade Super Fine Steel Wool Pad 12 pk
Unlike sandpaper and other grit-based abrasives that scratch away material with sharp points, metal wool fibers perform like thousands of microscopic scrapers or planes on a surface. The result is a smoother surface after sanding and a better result after finishing. Fine metal wools are even used to clean glass and polish fine wood articles.
Starting a garden is no small task, but with the right knowledge and tools it can be a fun, rewarding, and beautiful pastime! Having a garden can help beautify your yard with colorful flowers and plants, and even give you the satisfaction of growing your own fruits and vegetables. Stop by Ace Hardware of Fort Collins today, where our friendly team will be able to help you plan, prepare for, and cultivate the garden of your dreams.
