Gardening Through The Seasons: Spring Tasks

Spring is undoubtedly the best time of the year for gardening. With warming temperatures, increasing hours of sunlight and fabulously uplifting floral displays to admire, the feeling of renewal and the bounty of plants and crops waiting to emerge is hugely exciting.

Here are our top tasks to keep your garden looking its best throughout the spring season:

1. Apply fresh mulch and manure to beds and borders

With glorious blooms and new foliage bursting through the winter gloom, applying a fresh layer of mulch and manure around your plants gives them the burst of nutrients they needed to flourish, while also acting as a weed suppressant. Before applying, remember to turn the soil with a fork as it can often become compacted over the winter months, and remove any debris and leaves.

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2. Refresh patio areas and outside spaces

Now is a great time to refresh your outside space. Remove weeds, green algae, black spot and mould that has accumulated over the winter months on your patio and paving areas to keep your outside space looking its best. If you want to power through dirt and grime without the need for scrubbing, there are a wide range of highly effective scrub-free formulas. There are also several helpful gardening tools, including weeding brushes and knifes, that effortlessly remove stubborn stains and weeds if you are looking for a chemical-free option.

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3. Revive your lawn

A lustrous lawn will frame and enhance the beauty of your garden, and spring is the ideal time to get it in great condition. Start by removing leaves and debris and rake it over with a mechanical scarifier or spring tine rake to remove any thatch and dead grass. Then go over your soil with a fork to aerate and loosen the compacted areas.

Follow this with specially formulated lawn weed killer to control moss and unwanted plants such as dandelions. This can also be combined with a fertiliser, so you strengthen the health of your lawn at the same time. When the weeds have died back, reseed any remaining bare patches remembering to regularly water the new seeds until it has established.

Tip: Look for a high nitrogen lawn feed to encourage lush green growth.

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4. Plant summer flowering bulbs

Early spring is a wonderful time to plant more tender summer flowering bulbs. They will add a wonderful array of colours and interest to your garden, while also being incredibly cost-effective. From dramatic dahlias and spires of gladioli to the vibrancy of begonias and elegance of freesias, these enchanting flowers will dazzle when in bloom.

From April onwards, once the risk of frost has passed, you can start adding them to your summer garden or you can grow them indoors, or outdoors in a protected area such as a greenhouse, from as early as February.

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5. Plant warm weather crops

Keep your kitchen bursting with fresh food from the garden and plant warm weather crops in spring. There are a host of easy and reliable varieties to grow that include delicious tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, peppers, green beans and much more.

Always follow the specific guidance on the seed packet, but as general rule sow your seeds six to eight weeks before planting them outside. To get your seeds off to a great start explore our range of grow trays and accessories, seed compost mixes as well as seed planting tools, to ensure you get a bumper crop.

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6. Watch out for pests and diseases

From slugs and snails marching through leafy plants to white fungus covering plant foliage, keeping an eye out and detecting issues early will prevent major damage to your plants. Whether you opt for pest repellents, traps, chemical treatments or organic options, there is a solution to ensure your garden thrives.

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