A graduate of Monmouth University, John F. Abate earned an MBA before launching his current business enterprises, which include Marketforce in Clarksburg, New Jersey. In his free time, John F. Abate enjoys playing the guitar and gardening. 

Spring is one of the busiest times of the year for any gardener. Instead of waiting until the season is in full swing, many people choose to start tackling their to-do lists early, so that they can hit the ground running when it's time to do their yearly planting. In addition to preventing any unneeded stress, a little bit of early effort can ensure that you get the most from your vegetable and flower gardens. 

Along with cleaning up garden beds and getting a head start on weeding, it's important to spend some time early in the season tending to your garden soil. The process of preparing soil for the growing season includes digging, raking, and aerating. It’s also important to add any needed amendments to the soil and began fertilizing trees, shrubs, and perennial plants as soon as they show signs of growth. 

Other projects to tackle include prepping garden tools and making a plan for when, where, and what to plant. Once the planning is complete, you can order seeds or head to the greenhouse to pick up starter plants. If it's still early enough, however, purchasing seeds and starting them yourself indoors may be the best option. Doing so can save you money and give you more options as to the varieties of plants you can add to your garden.