Spring Gardening Tips

It seems to have taken forever, but the weather is finally warming up. Spring has finally sprung!

As we have now started to experience some nice weather, it’s a good time to get outside and give your garden some attention.

It’s not that much hard work and if you start now, you’ll reap the benefits when summer comes around!

 

 

Here’s our list of basic tasks you should tackle in your garden this spring:

 

Clean up the garden

Before you do anything else, your garden will likely be in need of tidying-up after the winter months:

Weeds will be starting to sprout as the weather warms-up, so now is the time to deal with them.

Remove leaves and other debris from your flower beds and lawn.

Cut down perennial foliage and use it for your compost pile.

Clear paths of moss and weeds using a stiff brush. Use salted water for an environmentally friendly weed killer.

 

Pack down roots

The winter frost may cause roots to lift out of the ground, so it’s important to pack them down again so your spring plants have room to grow.

 

Cut the grass

Now that spring has arrived, you’ll soon be getting back into the routine of regular lawn-mowing.

So now would be a good time to check-over your mower, in case it’s in need of any repairs or blade-sharpening.

 

Start a compost pile

Having raked-up the leaves and plant debris; create a compost area or place in a compost bin.

You may want to cut up larger debris to speed-up decomposition.

This is an easy way to dispose of garden waste, and provides a rich compost for your plants.

 

 

Prepare your tools

As well as the lawn-mower, your other garden tools could probably do with a good clean and sharpening ready for the new season.

Cleaning not only makes them easier to use, but also prevents the spread of the bacteria that can cause disease in your plants.

Take note of any missing or broken tools and order replacements ready for the gardening jobs.

Planting

Any shrubs or perennials can be planted early spring – the ground will have now softened since winter.

Sow your summer blooms into indoor pots for now. These can be transplanted outdoors in early summer, when there is less chance of frost damage. Ensure that these are watered regularly throughout spring and summer.

 

Check for garden pests

Now is the time to hunt down and remove any hibernating pests before they cause more trouble in the summer. Look out for aphids, slugs and snails hiding on your perennial plants. Also be on the lookout for vine weevil larvae in the soil as these will attack plant roots. If you do find any, it is advisable to treat with an appropriate insecticide.