With lighter days and sunny spells ahead, founder of GardeningExpress Chris Bonnett, shares how to get the garden spring ready.
There are plenty of jobs to be getting on with including cleaning up the patio and planting bare-root roses and trees.
Start with the basics and keep on top of weeds. You’ll notice as the weather warms up they’ll start to come through, keeping on top of them now means you can prevent them from fully sprouting and causing yourself a bigger headache later on.
While it’s still a little chilly outside you can begin to clean the patio and any other garden furniture.
After that it’s time to work on preparing the soil for any spring colour you’ll be adding and any perennials that you’ll be adding to the garden. Think about your soil and adding in essential nutrients. Digging in manure, compost or fertiliser will all help.
How to get your garden spring ready:
Keep on top of weeding
Weeds tend to germinate in the spring as the weather begins to warm up. Tackling them now as and when they come through means you may be able to prevent them from fully sprouting, saving yourself a job in the future.
Clean the patio
After the winter months, there will be a build-up of dirt and grime so your patio will need a good clean. This can be done with a jet wash, or by mixing water and vinegar together and scrubbing with a garden broom. Now is also a good time to clean up any garden furniture ready for hosting.
Prepare the soil
Taking time to prepare your soil will give your plants the best chance at thriving as they grow. Depending on what you wish to plant, you may want to fill your soil with essential nutrients by adding things like manure, compost or fertiliser.
Add spring colour
Add some spring colour with plants including violas, primulas and potted spring bulbs. These will give your garden an instant lift on the dullest of days.
Don’t neglect the lawn
Tidy the edges of your lawn and prepare any new areas for sowing grass. Treat unwanted moss that has grown over the autumn and winter. To get rid of moss simply apply some moss killer or lawn sand.
Keep slugs and snails at bay
Slugs and snails love damp, warmer weather so it’s best to take precautions now. You can start scattering slug and snail pellets before they ruin your garden or use homemade alternatives like crushed egg shells.
Check your tools
Now is a good time to assess your tools for any bluntness or rust. Good tools are key to a good garden so clean and sharpen things like shovels, pruners and secateurs accordingly.
Add evergreen shrubs
Take a look at your garden and pinpoint the areas lacking coverage. It’s worth adding some evergreen shrubs to these areas to provide year round coverage for your garden.
Plant bare-root roses
Now is also a good time to plant bare-root roses as this can be done when dormant. Once the weather warms up they’ll start to grow in. This is a great way to get ahead of the growing season and save yourself a job down the line.
Plant bare-root fruit trees
Bare root fruit trees can also be planted in March but you’ll want to prep your soil beforehand to give them the best chance at growing. Ideally you’ll want to plant these in a warm and sheltered spot in the garden.
