Green fingered Brits are being given advice on the best time to do their spring gardening chores. The team of experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have researched the main gardening jobs and when gardeners should be doing them. Despite mild temperatures, they recommend holding back on some tasks like planting seeds, advising garden lovers to start these in the greenhouse or indoors first. There are plenty of jobs to be getting on with straight away including clearing and cutting back last year’s plants and getting borders in top condition before replanting.
Early Spring
Clear back last year’s plants
Before you start replanting for a glorious display in the summer, clear out all the old plants from last year. Cut back perennials and add all the dead leaves to your compost heap.
Feed your borders
Rather than spend a fortune on expensive composts, just add some manure. You want your soil in top condition before you replant.
Plant seeds
Don’t plant directly into the ground, instead plant in your greenhouse or indoors to give your seedlings a good chance of survival.
Mid Spring
Mowing the lawn
Give your lawn an early mow – make sure it’s dry – and then continue to mow regularly throughout spring and summer. Apply lawn weed and feed too.
Plant new roses, trees, shrubs and perennials
Use early spring to think about your new planting scheme. Choose suitable plants to suit that look – remember to think about where you plant them and whether they’re appropriate for your soil.
Cutting hedges
Make sure hedges are given a good cut to help them form a shape for the rest of the spring and summer. This is even more important if the hedges are new. It’s then worth trimming back every four to six weeks to maintain the shape.
Cleaning paving / decking
Now’s a good time to get out the pressure washer and blast the remains of winter from your patio and decking. Remember to treat, especially decking, once the area is all cleaned down.
Late Spring
Take cuttings
Late spring is a good time to take softwood cuttings of hardy and half-hardy perennials. Collect cuttings early in the day and non-flowering shoots as they will root better.
Prune spring flowering shrubs
Don’t forget to cutback any early flowering shrubs ready for next year and dead head your bulbs. Let the foliage die back without removing it.
