At the first signs of spring, you’ll likely be itching to get back in the garden. While it may still be too cold to start growing, some early spring maintenance tasks await.

With the winter cold finally ebbing away, it means that gardening season is right around the corner. Before you start opening up those seed packets, your garden will need some attention. To ensure a successful harvest at the end of the season, get started off on the right foot. Here are seven essential early spring maintenance tasks to tackle.

1. Clean up the flowerbeds

Winter probably deposited a lot of debris in your flower beds, so begin with a good clean-up. Clear away any dead leaves, sticks, or anything else that has settled into the soil over the preceding months. It’s a good idea to wear thick gardening gloves that will protect you from scrapes and cuts.

2. Inspect your raised beds

Raised bed gardening has numerous benefits, but it comes with the added responsibility of inspecting your raised beds on a regular basis. Over the winter, the frames may become compromised by rain, snow, and wet soil. Make sure the structures are sound and that you carry out any necessary repairs before planting in them.

3. Turn the compost

If you have a compost pile (as any gardener really should), it has been brewing all winter long and needs a good turning. Compost is an excellent (and free, if you make it yourself) soil amendment that will ensure your plants grow healthy and strong. Make sure to add a layer to your garden beds as a top dressing.

4. Divide your perennials

Dividing perennials refers to the technique of digging up established plants, separating them, and replanting them. This prevents overcrowding in one spot, encourages new growth, and stimulates flowering. It’s essentially a free method of filling in your landscaping. Early spring is the best time to divide perennials as it’s easier to do before the new growth starts coming in.

5. Inspect your garden tools

You won’t get much done without the right tools. Get your gardening tools out of storage and give them a good wipe so that you can inspect them for signs of rust. If you do see rust, soak the tool head in a solution that is 50% water and 50% vinegar, followed by a good scrub with steel wool to remove the rust. If your tools have seen better days, consider investing in some new ones before the season really gets underway.

6. Get started on weeding

The trick to dealing with weeds is to start early while they are still young and sprouting. If you allow them to get established, they will overrun your garden in no time. You have to pull out the root and not just the portion of the plant above ground to ensure it doesn’t come back.

7. Lay down mulch

Finally, a good layer of mulch will help prevent further weed growth after all of your hard work getting the early infiltrators. Mulch is also helpful for locking moisture into the soil by hindering evaporation and protecting against soil erosion.

Give your green thumb a warmup by getting your garden ready to grow! A good start means you’ll be able to stay ahead of the game all growing season long, making for a more enjoyable gardening experience.