As the days start to draw out and the first signs of milder weather start to arrive, the garden starts to stir from its winter slumber. For gardeners across the UK, this long-awaited transition can offer the perfect opportunity to lay some groundwork for spring’s arrival.
According to horticultural experts at the National Trust, proactive preparation is the key to a flourishing garden throughout spring. From improving soil quality to checking your plants carefully, here’s a few tips on how to get started.
Clear garden beds
The first step is to tidy up. Get rid of that winter debris and sodden plant material that might have accumulated over the colder months.
Clearing this clutter away will improve the airflow around emerging shoots and reduce the risk of any pests or germs lingering from last year, which could cause disease.
Take the time to weed thoroughly to make sure that you have a neat and manageable framework ready for new growth to come.
Prepare and improve the soil
After a cold and damp winter, it can cause the earth to become hard and compact, making it harder for plants to receive the right nutrients it needs. Healthy soil can keep your garden up and running.
Use a garden fork, as you can then gently loosen the soil and incorporate plenty of organic matter like homemade compost or well-rotted manure. By doing this enriching task, the roots are encouraged to grow stronger and help the ground to hold onto a bit more moisture in the warmer months ahead.
Plan for seasonal success
Success in the garden relies on careful timing.
You should use these early weeks to plan your vegetable patches and flower borders. Think about the way the sunlight traces around your garden and consider drainage too. Now is also a great time to install a water bath, helping you to collect spring rainfall and become more sustainable!
With prepared beds and no hint of another frost, you can start planting tender edibles such as tomato plants in containers or polytunnels for a fruitful summer harvest. When you match your plants to the conditions and patterns in your garden, your outdoor space will flourish and thrive.
Pruning, lawn care and maintenance
Finally, don’t forget that spring is the best possible time for a ‘structural’ change. You could spend the sunny afternoons pruning summer-flowering shrubs, as this will stimulate new growth just in time for warmer temperatures.
Now is also a brilliant time to repair any fences or plant supports damaged by frost, especially if they’re going to be hidden by climbing seasonal foliage. You might also want to give your lawn its first cut of the year, keeping blades on a high setting to avoid scalping the young grass.
With careful prep and a thoughtful eye, your garden will be in full bloom and reach its potential too.