While some of us are experiencing a very chilly winter, it can be a warming feeling to think that spring is right around the corner. If you garden, you are probably getting super excited. After all, the days are getting longer, and soon enough, they will be getting warmer. The spring is a time of renewal and of growing, and now is the time to start preparing so when the warm days are here, you can get cracking.

Wagner Used Equipment offers the best used heavy equipment for sale. We have over a dozen locations throughout Colorado, New Mexico, and far west Texas. Our mission since the day we opened back in 1976 is quite simple: to offer Caterpillar heavy equipment to our customers at affordable prices and serve every need associated with their equipment, from Genuine Caterpillar parts to service so their used heavy equipment can be well maintained and running strong well into the future. Our technicians and service associates are passionate about helping you find the right used machinery for your needs. Below, we'll offer up some tips on how to prepare your backyard garden for spring planting and review our Ag equipment. Contact one of our Cat dealers to get started today!

TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR BACKYARD GARDEN FOR SPRING PLANTING

Gather Your Bulbs and Seeds

Planning what you will plant every year is one of the most exciting times for many gardeners. After all, you get to plan your beautiful flowers and what vegetables you want on your kitchen table in the summer and fall. Thus, one of the easiest ways you can begin planning your spring garden is to order seeds and bulbs. Read up on new flowers you want to try, such as lilies or gladioli, and plan the layout as well.

Weed Your Space

Inevitably, something will have grown or collected since the late fall, so you'll want to tidy up your garden space so it's ready to go as soon as the weather is right. This can include removing leaves or dead twigs that may have fallen in any fall or winter storms. You may want to reseed the areas where you pull weeds up so that new weeds don't grow there once the weather turns nice as well. It's best to remove weeds when the snow has dried up and the soil is dry. If the soil is too wet, you can damage it and remove any natural aeration as well.

Prepare the Soil

Since the soil is the most important part of your garden, you'll want to help prime it before you plant. Of course, you'll have to wait until the ground is not frozen in order to do so. In the long winter months, the soil tends to become compacted due to the fact it freezes, so you'll want to till the soil or turn it over with a spade to a depth of between 12 and 14 inches. Since plants need nutrients in order to grow, you'll want to add in some type of fertilizer as well. Leaves and mulch make great composts, or use your own mix from the kitchen garden.

Take Inventory of Your Garden Tools

While you don't need a lot of garden tools for a small backyard garden, you'll still need enough that you don't want to have to scramble if you discover on planting day you are missing an important hoe. You'll want to make sure your garden tools are sharp and clean. If you do have a sizable backyard garden, Wagner Used Equipment offers work tools for sale or rent, as well as Ag equipment, such as tractors and tillers, that can help you in your garden all season long. Reach out to a team member at one of our dealers in Colorado, New Mexico, or far west Texas to learn more today.

Prune and Mulch

Trees and shrubs need attention too and can play an important role in your garden, such as providing shade, or being cut back to provide more light. Late winter/early spring is a good time for pruning as trees are entering their dormant phase and the leaves have fallen so you can see and access the branches better. It's also good to prune before the buds break. Do be aware of the types of trees and shrubs that do not do well with fall or winter pruning, such as Rhododendron, including Azalea, Magnolia, and Kalmia, or Mountain Laurel. Roses, Honeysuckle, and Flowering Dogwoods are great to prune at this time of year. Lastly, apply a layer of mulch to help with insulation, water retention, weed abatement, and overall aesthetic value.

CHOOSE WAGNER USED EQUIPMENT FOR ALL YOUR SPRING GARDENING TOOL NEEDS

Wagner Used Equipment is a Caterpillar dealer that offers new, used, and rental heavy equipment. However, we also offer smaller tools, such as Cat attachments, and hand tools as well at great prices. These can help you with all of your spring gardening needs and can possibly be used in other areas of your farm.

Wagner Used Equipment is dedicated to your success, either as a backyard gardener, a farmer, or someone who uses our heavy equipment for their business of personal needs, such as a landscaper, custom home builder, a roofer, mining, and so much more. For over 100 years, Caterpillar has been the leader in heavy equipment, and we're not slowing down. We embrace technology, helping you to gauge the health of your machines with fluid analysis, and we offer financing so you can use your heavy equipment to pay for itself. We offer Cat replacement parts, maintenance plans, and our Wagner Exchange program, where you can exchange your used Cat parts for refurbished ones. Our service department is top-notch with factory-trained technicians ready to diagnose your machines either in the field or here at a dealer location in Colorado, New Mexico, or west Texas.

Wagner Used Equipment is passionate about helping farmers and gardeners. After all, Caterpillar began by making tractors. If you are interested in partnering with us for all your Ag equipment needs, reach out to one of our Cat dealers, or stop by today!