15 early spring gardening tasks

Early Spring Gardening Tasks for Winnipeg: What You Can Do Right Now

Here in Winnipeg, early spring can feel like a bit of a gardening limbo. The snow has mostly melted, the sun is warmer, and we’re eager to dig in—but it’s not quite time for outdoor planting just yet. That said, there’s still plenty you can do to scratch the gardening itch and get ready for the season ahead. Whether you're prepping your tools or planning your layout, this is a great time to lay the groundwork for a strong growing season.

Here are 10–15 productive tasks you can take on right now:

1. Inspect Your Tools – Clean, sharpen, and oil pruners, shears, and trowels. If anything’s broken or missing, now’s the time to replace it.

2. Sort Seeds – Check expiry dates and make a plan for what you're sowing indoors or outdoors. Consider what did well for you last year—or what you’d like to try for the first time.

3. Start Seeds Indoors – You can safely start peppers, tomatoes, herbs, and even a few annuals now under grow lights or a sunny window.

4. Prune Dormant Shrubs – If shrubs are still fully dormant (not leafing out), you can do some structural pruning on species like dogwood or spirea.

1. Plan Your Garden Layout – Sketch out vegetable beds, flower borders, and container groupings. Consider crop rotation if you're growing food.

2. Top Up Supplies – Stock up on potting mix, compost, organic fertilisers, and seed starting trays while selection is good.

3. Clean Planters and Pots – A good scrub with hot water and mild soap helps remove salts and pathogens from last year’s use.

4. Rake Gently Where You Can – If the snow is gone and the ground is dry, a light rake can help remove debris. Avoid compacting soggy soil.

5. Inspect Trees and Perennials – Look for broken branches, signs of pest damage, or frost heaving that might need attention later.

6. Divide Overgrown Indoor Plants – Give your houseplants a refresh by repotting or dividing those that have outgrown their containers.

7. Compost Check-In – Turn your compost if it’s thawed. Add a bit of moisture if it’s dry or balance out the greens and browns.

8. Clean the Greenhouse or Cold Frame – Wash windows, remove clutter, and check for pests or mould before the season kicks off.

9. Edge Garden Beds – Once the ground is dry, redefine the edges of your beds with a half-moon edger or spade for a tidy start.

10. Monitor Soil Temperature – Pick up a soil thermometer so you’ll know when it’s actually warm enough to plant outside (generally 10°C+ for most crops).

11. Take a Walk Around Your Yard – Simply observing where water pools, where sun hits longest, and what’s sprouting can give you valuable cues for planning.

While we’re not quite at full-speed gardening yet, these small steps now will make a world of difference later. Think of it as spring training for your green thumb!