Preparing your garden for spring
The days are getting brighter, which means it’s time to prepare for spring!
It might be the busiest season in your gardening calendar, but we’re here to help you tick off exactly what you should be doing outdoors at this time of year. Whether you’re just beginning your gardening journey, or are a horticulture fan, simply follow these steps to not only get your outdoor space looking is best this spring, but prepare it for the seasons to come too
Clean & prepare
Spring cleaning your garden is an important first step when it comes to prepping your garden for the year ahead. If you’ve been maintaining your garden throughout winter, it should be an easy job
Start by clearing away any remaining winter debris, like fallen leaves and twigs, and clean your pathways of moss. This can be done with a pressure washer – a useful tool to have in your shed. While you’re washing paths, you can even give your patio a clean to get it looking fresh for the new season
If you have a greenhouse, early spring is a great time to get it in shape. Disinfect the windows and surfaces to prepare it for young plants and seeds you plan on sowing. Remember, there’s still a risk of frost in spring, but a greenhouse or cold frame is good way to get a head start on planting at this time of year
Spring is the ideal time to get your beds and borders in shape ahead of the warmer months. Remove weeds, prune plants, and cut back any winter flowering plants that have started to fade. Don’t forget to prune summer flowering shrubs like Buddleia, Lavatera and hardy Fuchsias too, as this allows for new growth
Warmer spring days can encourage earlier plant growth, but occasional spring frosts mean plant protection is still an important factor. Whether it’s with frost fleece or a good layer of mulch, you should keep an eye on temperatures and make sure your plants are protected. Mulching your flower beds with a good quality organic compost won’t only protect your plants from cold spells, but it’ll give them a nutrient boost help tidy up your garden’s appearance too
Water collection
- Rainwater harvesting should be one of your top priorities in the garden during spring as amongst other things, it’ll help reduce water consumption during a hot, dry summer. Installing a water butt outdoors is the best way to maximise rainfall in your garden. You can install a water butt anywhere that has gutters and a down pipe to a drain at ground level, such as beside a greenhouse, shed or garage. Conserving water now will be especially useful for your young plants in summer, as rainwater has low pH levels, and unlike water from the mains, contains no chemicals
Planting & propagation
- One of the most enjoyable spring gardening jobs is planting, however, before you think about adding new vegetables to your plot, it’s good to first think about preparing your soil. Soil preparation is imperative to healthy plant growth, so add organic matter and fertiliser to improve your soil before planting. Removing any weeds and debris will also set your beds in good stead for spring
If you're looking to add instant colour to your outdoors this spring, explore our wide range of bedding plants available in-store and online. Pansies, Primroses, and Violas are springtime favourites that can be planted alongside potted bulbs for a vibrant display
Now’s a great time to plan and plant a cottage garden with a wide range of young herbaceous plants available. Other spring flowering shrub lines available now include Camellias, Forsythias, and Magnolias. Alpine plants are also a good source of early spring colour as they can withstand cooler temperatures
For a blooming summer display, you can propagate plants now by sowing seeds in trays in greenhouses or sunny windowsills, choosing from our vast array of seed packs in-store and online
Summer flowering bulbs like Dahlias and Begonias can be started off in pots indoors and planted outside in late spring after all risk of frost has passed
Lawn care
Depending on the weather where you live, early spring is a great time to sow a new lawn. Prepare the soil by breaking it up – also known as cultivating – then sow the lawn seed. Remove any debris before making sure the ground is level and firm
When deciding when to first mow your lawn, keep an eye on the weather. There’s no right time for mowing your lawn after winter and it can vary depending on where you live. When you see the grass growing and there’s no risk of frost, you can give it the first light cut of the season. Choose a dry day and make sure the blades are kept on their highest setting as you don’t scalp the lawn
Grow your own
Early spring is a wonderful time to plant fruit and vegetables for a summer harvest. A lot of produce, such as tomatoes and chillies, can be sown from seed inside in a greenhouse, cold frame, or even windowsill, and then planted outdoors once temperatures warm up
If you want an early rhubarb crop, you use a forcer – which is just an up-turned dustbin or bucket. It provides the ideal dark conditions for growing sweet and tender stems
Strawberry seeds can be planted now too, either in the ground or in containers, if you want to enjoy them from early summer onwards
Now’s also the time when you should prepare your ground for potatoes, garlic, and onions. Potatoes can be ‘chitted’ to encourage shoots by arranging them in seed trays in a light, frost-free room. This helps produce a slightly earlier crop
Container planting
If you’re limited on space, then container planting is a great way to inject colour and interesting into your garden, patio, or balcony. Use Primroses, Violas, and Pansies to refresh your pots, hanging baskets and window boxes. Senetti is another great choice of flower, known for their robust nature – if planted now it will last throughout spring into early summer
Don’t forget that early spring is also the time to plant any potted spring bulbs you didn’t get a chance to plant out in autumn
Find every tool you need to tick off these essential spring gardening jobs when you shop in-store and online. For more spring gardening and outdoor advice, visit your nearest Dobbies and chat to a member of our Green Team