What to do to your garden in spring
As days get longer and warmer, the urge to be outdoors gets stronger and stronger. And never more so than this year when a gentle lifting of Coronavirus restrictions means that we can start meeting friends and family in our gardens.
So how will you make sure that your garden is looking its best for you and your visitors? Here are our top 10 things to do to your garden in spring.
De-clutter and get rid of anything you don’t need
Check furniture and play equipment for safety
Sweep and wash patios, paths and decking
Mend fences, apply wood preservatives where needed and touch up any paintwork
Start a regular mowing regime
Refresh the planting in beds and borders - avoid pruning hedges and shrubs where birds may be nesting
Plant a tree
Mulch plants, shrubs and trees
Deadhead spring flowering bulbs
Create a comfortable seating area where you, your friends and your family can relax
Gardening in spring
Gardening in spring is always an absolute joy - but be careful not to overdo it. It may feel great to be out in the fresh air, moving about and getting jobs done. But if you’ve been less active during the winter, you may end up with unwanted aches and pains the next day.
My advice is to write a list of the jobs that need doing and decide whether anything can be delegated. Then contact us, at Keep It Green Garden Maintenance for a sensible quote. We have the equipment and the knowhow to get jobs done quickly so that you can start enjoying your garden sooner.
With all of the jobs you don’t like sorted out, you can potter about gardening in a way that brings you joy (rather than back ache!)
What to plant in spring
The best spring gardening tips, should always include planting ideas - so here goes. My number one tip at this time of year, is to make a list before you go to the garden centre. Impulse buys can be expensive - especially if you pick up plants that won’t like your garden.
If you can, choose plants according to their shape and size, rather than the number of flowers in bloom. Flowers are fleeting - if they’re in full bloom when you buy them, you may only get a couple of weeks worth of enjoyment from them. Which is a bit like opening your presents on Christmas Eve - great at the time but it can only lead to an anticlimax the next day!
What to plant in March
Roses - save money by buying bare root roses. Great for colour, scent and cut flowers
Fruit Trees - prepare to enjoy blossoms later in spring, followed by edible treats
Hedges - provides shelter and structure in the garden. Again, bare root plants are most cost-effective
Turf - need a new lawn? Turfing can be done at any time of year, but in early spring the weather will help you to water it in. Plus, your lawn will be ready to use by summer time.
What to plant in April
Summer Flowering Bulbs - look out for stately gladioli for the back of the border, dahlia tubers for showy late summer colour and exotic looking lilies.
Herbs - now is a good time to be planting culinary herbs. Not only are these great for adding flavour to summer dishes, most of them smell divine as you brush past them in the garden. Look for lavender, thyme, rosemary and mint. Always plant mint in a pot (it can be invasive if the roots are not restricted).
Ornamental Grasses. Grasses are too often overlooked in planting schemes but they do look amazing as they sway in the breeze. Plant grasses with summer favourites such as verbena bonariensis or rudbeckia for a prairie style garden scheme.
Sow hardy annual flower seeds. Save pounds and have the pleasure of growing your own plants from seed. Take your pick from the wide variety on sale in the garden centres or visit online seed retailers for ideas. Always read the instructions on the back of the packet before sowing seeds.
What to plant in May
Summer bedding plants will be available in the garden centres about now. Wait until there’s no threat of frost before planting them out and be sure to keep them well watered. Choose the varieties you love the most and enjoy designing your summer garden.
Pots of Joy - fill planters with your favourite plants - there are lots to choose from. I like to combine a tall plant (a grass or a conifer) with medium sized foliage plants such as heuchera’s and something to trail over the edge of the pot - perhaps a trailing lobelia or an ivy.
Edible flowers - make your garden work harder for you, borage, pansies, calendula, nasturtium and rose petals are all edible. They make great garnishes for cakes and salads and will certainly add the wow factor to your summer entertaining.
Help with spring gardening jobs
What do you need help with in your garden this spring? The team at Keep It Green Garden Maintenance can help you with any manner of spring gardening jobs from lawn mowing and tidying borders to a full-blown decluttering session.
Call Chris on 07702 585688 for a sensible quote to help prepare your garden for summer.