Preparing Your Garden For Spring

1. Plan for a picture-perfect spring. 

Ahead of the first blooms of spring and summer, take a moment to plan, and consider where the sunlight reaches in all areas of your garden. Observe how the sun rays touch each corner, this can help to determine where you will place your flower beds and plant pots. 

Try to envision the garden’s vibrant transformation as spring turns into summer, and plan accordingly. Starting a garden journal can be your compass, helping you chart the course to your perfect garden. Note the spots that bask in sunlight and those that crave shade. Use your journal to sketch an idea of how your flower beds will come to life and watch as you design your own outdoor space.   

Through meticulous planning, you can ensure that your garden becomes the masterpiece you’ve envisioned in the coming seasons.

2. Sowing success 

Before you start planting, take a moment to tend to the foundation of your garden – the soil. Clear all weeds to ensure your plants won’t be competing with them for nutrients and sunlight. 

To enrich the soil, provide it with a hearty meal with nutrient-rich fertilisers. You could also add a layer of mulch underneath your soil which will help to retain moisture in the soil throughout the hotter summer months and make draining soil easier. 

By taking these simple yet crucial steps before the spring, you’re not just sowing your seeds; you’re creating an environment where your plants and crops can thrive. In preparing your soil with care,  you will no doubt be rewarded with a kaleidoscope of gorgeous flowers in your garden beds come spring. 

3. Order Your spring/summer bulbs. 

One easy way to prepare for the upcoming seasons is by ordering a variety of bulbs during winter, ensuring they’re ready to dazzle in the warmer months. Invest in both spring and summer flowering bulbs, carefully selecting a mix that suits your taste. 

Creating a beautiful display of spring flowers all depends on the type of bulbs you buy. In a large pot or flower patch, begin creating layers of compost and bulbs. Place your early bloomers closer to the bottom layer of the compost and late bloomers nearer to the top. Think of it as assembling a flowering bulb lasagne! This strategic planting method ensures a continuous emergence of blossoms, transforming your garden into a floral symphony that unfolds with each passing week.

Bulbs will need a little more space when using this layering method, so 1 to 11.5 inches apart is recommended. The first set of bulbs can be planted as deep as 11-12 inches deep to ensure even more room. 

4. How to decide which plants you should sow. 

For those eager to get a head start on their springtime bloom, consider planting hardy bulbs such as geraniums and begonias. Peppers and aubergines are also a great option for those with allotments or vegetable patches. These plants all thrive with longer growing seasons.

While geraniums may take their time to bloom, planting them early promises an early burst of color. By planting these early bloomers, you’re setting the stage for a garden that will delight your senses as the season unfolds.

Don’t forget the classics like daffodils and snowdrops—plant them early in lovely containers strategically placed at eye level from your window so you can enjoy the view as early in the year as possible. 

5. Give your garden a spring clean

It’s the perfect time of the year for a garden spring clean. With the weather growing warmer by the day, there’s no better time to prepare your garden for the long-awaited garden parties and barbecues you’ve been looking forward to all winter.

The first step to giving your garden the spring clean spruce-up it deserves is to rid of the last remnants of the cold months. Rake away any leaves that may have blown into your garden from trees and shrubs during the windy, rainy months. Take care to spot any litter or debris that also may have snuck its way onto your property.

Inspect any fences, gates and sheds for signs of decay and mend as necessary. Adding a fresh coat of stain to garden woodwork not only protects them but gives a sense of renewal your garden will so greatly need after the battering they’ve no doubt taken in the winter months. 

Unleash the pressure washer to give your garden furniture a thorough cleanse, bidding farewell to the winter’s dirt and grime. Remember, a fresh garden equals a fresh start. After a season of hibernation, your garden will be ready to go with a little spring cleaning giving yourself the perfect canvas to work from this spring. 

6. Prepare your greenhouse

Before you embark on the journey of sowing, ensure your greenhouse is clean and ready to allow your plants to grow.

Start by giving it a thorough clean-out; sweep away the remnants of the past season and give it a deep clean to get rid of any lurking plant diseases. Ensure you also wipe down shelves and pots with warm soapy water, eliminating any potential breeding grounds for unwelcome pests. 

Creating a pristine environment sets the stage for success, allowing your saplings to sprout in a space untainted by the ghosts of seasons past. With a clean greenhouse, you’re not just sowing seeds; you’re cultivating a healthy, thriving haven for your plants to flourish.

7.Try composting

As spring breathes life back into the earth, it’s the perfect moment to introduce a sustainable touch to your gardening routine—composting. 

If you haven’t already embarked on this eco-friendly journey, now is the perfect time to consider creating your compost heap. Gather kitchen scraps, yard waste, and discarded organic matter to form a nutrient-rich concoction that will supercharge your garden’s bloom. 

Composting not only reduces household waste but also transforms it into a powerful potion for plant growth. Embrace the cycle of renewal this spring by starting your composting venture, and watch as your plants flourish with the rich, homemade goodness of nutrient-packed compost. It’s a small step towards a greener, more sustainable garden that also reflects the beauty and balance of nature.

8. Sharpen and prepare your garden tools.

It’s time to ensure your tools are as ready as you are for the growing season ahead. A well-maintained tool not only makes the job more efficient but also ensures the health of your plants. Take inventory of your gardening arsenal and make a checklist of everything you need for the coming months.

This is a good time to invest in any new garden tools you may require. From pruners to shovels, having the right equipment in prime condition sets the stage for a year of successful planting and tending.

9. Prepare your grass for spring.

Don’t forget to pay a little attention to your green haven – your lawn. Show it some tender loving care by wielding a roller and mower. A gentle roll not only levels the ground but also ensures a smooth basis for your grass to thrive. 

Follow up with a precision mow, trimming your lawn to the ideal height for the coming seasons. With a little love, your lawn will be the envy of the neighbourhood, a lush carpet inviting barefoot strolls and impromptu picnics. So, fire up that mower, roll with care, and let your lawn bask in the attention it truly deserves.

10. Prune to perfection 

For many flowering plants, the golden rule is simple: prune after the grand finale of flowering. This allows the plant to redirect its energy towards new growth, ensuring a vibrant display in the next season.

However, if more drastic measures are needed, such as a renovation or substantial reduction, late winter and early spring just before the growth spurt begins are the opportune moments. 

Take a discerning approach as you trim—remove old flowers through deadheading and cut back to healthy, outward-facing buds. Clear away damaged, diseased, old wood, and any straggly growth, allowing your garden to flourish with renewed vigor. 

Pruning isn’t just about shaping; it’s about promoting health and vitality in a garden that blooms with beauty.