Spring: The Season That Sets the Tone
Spring is the most critical season in the farming calendar. The decisions made and the groundwork laid in these early months will shape everything that follows — from crop yields to animal health to how efficiently you operate for the rest of the year. A well-planned spring transition gives you momentum; a disorganized one means playing catch-up all season long.
Use this checklist as a starting framework and adapt it to your specific operation, climate, and crops.
Soil and Field Preparation
- Soil testing: If you haven't tested your soil in the last two to three years, spring is an ideal time. Send samples to a lab to check pH, organic matter content, and key nutrient levels (N, P, K). This guides your fertilization decisions and prevents both deficiency and waste.
- Address drainage issues: Walk your fields after rain to identify waterlogged areas. Persistent wet patches may indicate blocked drains, compaction, or low spots that need attention before planting.
- Lime application: If your soil test indicates low pH, apply agricultural lime as early as possible to give it time to react before planting season begins. Work lime into the top layer of soil where possible.
- Compost and manure spreading: Apply well-rotted compost or aged manure to fields and garden beds before they're planted. Allow time for incorporation and initial breakdown before seeds go in.
- Assess cover crops: If you overwintered cover crops, now is the time to decide on termination — either through mechanical incorporation or rolling and crimping. Allow 2–3 weeks after termination before planting into the residue.
Planting and Crop Management
- Seed inventory check: Review what you have from last season, check viability of older seeds with a simple germination test, and order anything you're short on before supplies run out.
- Start seeds indoors: Many crops — tomatoes, peppers, aubergine, celeriac, leeks — benefit from being started under cover 6–10 weeks before last frost. Set up your propagation space early.
- Direct sow cold-tolerant crops: Once soil temperature reaches at least 5–7°C, you can direct sow peas, broad beans, spinach, lettuce, onion sets, and overwintered garlic care continues. A soil thermometer is a worthwhile investment.
- Plan your rotation: Map out where each crop family will go this season. Rotating brassicas, legumes, alliums, and root vegetables in different beds each year reduces pest and disease buildup.
- Prepare fruit trees and bushes: Complete any remaining winter pruning before buds break fully. Feed established fruit trees with a balanced fertilizer and clear weeds from around their base.
Livestock and Animal Care
- Transitioning animals to pasture: Don't rush animals onto spring pasture too early. Wait until grass is at least 6–8 cm tall and soils are firm enough to handle foot traffic without poaching (compressing and damaging the sward).
- Worming and health checks: Spring is a key time for parasite management. Consult your vet about a farm-appropriate worming strategy. Check feet, body condition, and general health as animals come out of winter housing.
- Lambing and kidding season: If you keep sheep or goats, ensure your lambing/kidding area is clean, dry, and well-supplied with colostrum support and equipment. Have a vet's contact number to hand.
- Poultry health: As daylight increases, egg production picks up. Check that feeders, drinkers, and housing are clean after winter. Treat for external parasites (mites, lice) if needed.
Equipment and Infrastructure
- Machinery service: Service tractors, tillers, and any powered equipment before the busy season. Check oil, filters, belts, and tyres. Address issues now — not when you're mid-operation on a warm May morning.
- Irrigation systems: Check pipes, fittings, sprinkler heads, and pumps after winter. Flush systems before connecting to crops.
- Fencing inspection: Walk all fence lines before animals go out to pasture. Repair posts, tighten wires, and replace any damaged sections. Electric fencing should be tested and grounded properly.
- Greenhouse and polytunnel prep: Clean glazing to maximize light transmission. Wash staging, replace damaged covers, and repair ventilation before heat-sensitive seedlings go in.
Record Keeping and Planning
Spring is also the right time to set up — or revisit — your farm records. Keep a planting diary noting what you sow, where, and when. Record rainfall and temperatures where possible. Good records transform into better decisions the following year.
Plan your seasons in writing. A simple spreadsheet or notebook tracking what needs to happen each month keeps you ahead of the workload rather than scrambling to catch up. Spring sets the pace — start it with intention.