Now is a crucial juncture in the gardening calendar, a moment to plant (tenderly), prune, and prepare for the coming months. With well-timed care, the garden will soon be teeming with layered textures, bursting blooms, and flourishing greenery. Here are ten vital mid-spring gardening tasks to help welcome the season, followed by five things best left untouched—at least for now.

Winter can be unkind to gardens. Before diving into planting, it's crucial to take on the responsibility of conducting a thorough walk through your space and inspecting for damage caused by snow, frost, or wildlife. Look for signs of animal burrows, gnawed stems, or broken branches. Check your beds for areas needing clearing, and assess any hardscaping—fences, pathways, raised beds, and trellises—for signs of shifting, bowing, or rot. 

Addressing these now will save trouble later in the season, and your proactive approach will ensure a healthy and thriving garden. 

For those past (or approaching) their last frost date with workable soil, now is the time to add new perennials and cold-hardy annuals. Foxgloves, delphiniums, and violas, and other cold hardy plants will thrive if planted now, so they can settle their roots in before the summer heat arrives. 

Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs. But, if you've been meaning to plant new trees or shrubs—or move an existing one—this is your second best window of opportunity. Before they fully leaf out, trees and shrubs can establish their root systems with minimal stress. After transplanting, ensure they receive deep watering and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Topdressing your soil with an inch or two of compost will replenish nutrients and encourage healthy plant growth. Afterwards, apply a fresh layer of mulch to conserve moisture and prevent weeds from taking hold. If you rely on a drip irrigation system, check the lines before mulching to ensure everything works.

Daffodils, tulips, and other early bloomers will soon finish their spring show. While you can remove the spent flowers, let the green foliage remain until it has entirely died back. This allows the bulbs to photosynthesize and store energy for next year's bloom.

If you missed the autumn window for dividing your perennials, mid-spring is your next best opportunity. Dormant perennials such as hostas, daylilies, and asters can be split and replanted now to promote healthier growth and more blooms. 

While garden beds are still coming to life, containers provide an instant burst of spring color. The joy of planting pansies, violas, and primroses now, adding cheer to patios and entryways, will surely make you eager for the season ahead. Just be prepared to bring them inside or cover them if a late frost threatens.

A crisp edge transforms a garden from untamed to intentional. If your soil is soft enough and you haven't done it already, use a straight edge spade to tidy up the edges of flower beds and borders. This simple task lends a sense of order before the garden fully unfurls. And is much easier to do when you aren't fighting with the plants in your border. 

Gravel paths, stone edging, and patios may need attention after winter's wear. Rake and replenish gravel where needed, and check for shifting stones or paving that may require resetting before the garden reaches peak activity. Additionally, now is a great time to remove any weeds before replacing gravel and edging.  

Large flowering plants like Annabelle hydrangeas and peonies, have a tendency to droop once they're in full bloom. Install plant supports now, while growth is still manageable, to avoid heartbreak when their heavy blooms start to sag. It's a simple step that can make a big difference in your garden's appearance.

1. Do Not Clean Up Leaf Debris (yet) – While dried stems and fallen leaves may seem untidy, they shelter overwintering insects. Many beneficial pollinators, including native bees and butterflies, are still dormant. The Xerces Society suggests waiting "until you're ready to plant tomatoes, fruit trees have finished blooming, or your lawn has needed its first mow before tidying up leaf litter".
2. Do Not Prune Spring-Flowering Shrubs – Shrubs like lilacs, forsythias, and camellias set their flower buds last year. Pruning too soon will mean cutting off this season's blossoms. Wait until they've finished blooming before reaching for the secateurs. And, better yet, give them the space to grow and skip pruning altogether.
3. Do Not Fertilize Perennials – While giving perennials an early feed may be tempting, doing so too soon can encourage weak, leggy growth. And puts their new growth at risk of frost damage. Let them fully wake before applying fertilizer.
4. Do Not Seed Lawns (Unless Conditions Are Right) – Grass seed requires warmth to germinate. If your region is still experiencing cool nights, hold off on reseeding until soil temperatures are consistently mild. Or the birds will eat all your seeds!
5. Do Not Rush to Plant Tender Annuals or Vegetables – Planting tender annuals and vegetables at the first hint of warmth is tempting, but it's important to be cautious as nighttime temperatures can still dip dangerously low. If you must begin growing, be prepared to cover them on chilly nights to ensure the safety and health of your plants.