As we leave the cold days of winter behind, it’s time to focus on the months ahead. If you’re planning your garden for spring, there’s a lot to consider, from assessing how plants have fared on the cooler weather to what’s in store.
For inspiration, here are some tips to help you get your spring gardening underway.
Hardscaping
We were lucky to have a reasonably mild winter. However, March saw the snow and frost appear for large swathes of the country, meaning that many of us are playing catch up with how we care for our gardens.
Now is the time to assess how plants and shrubs have fared in these cooler days and laying the groundwork for the coming months. Begin by hardscaping. Repair walls, clear gutters, and fix trellises, benches, planters and raised beds. As well as mending any damaged outdoor areas, you can use this time to build new raised gardens and tidy existing beds.
Pest protection
As the weather warms up, we see more pests in the garden. From aphids and white flies to slugs and caterpillars, there are plenty of pests that can do real damage if you don’t take some precautions now.
Placing plants in nets, cages and polytunnels can help, along with other preventative measures like hanging sticky traps or rinsing pests off your plants with water.
Also, you’ll need to check for any signs of disease in your plants. Spring is a great time to check plant health and explore what could be causing any issues.
Landscaping
Once you have cleared the debris from winter and introduced pest control methods to see you through the coming seasons, it’s time to look at landscaping for your homestead. This is best done in these cooler spring months before the summer heat returns.
Use this time to cut back trees and bushes. This will require cutting tools, so if you’re taking on this task yourself, make sure you research what you need and work out how you’ll reach those awkward branches. Extension leads like these can be useful here as they can reach even the furthest corners of your garden.
You might also want to completely reimagine the space. To do this, draw up a plan so that you can work out the layout and from there, you can get to work landscaping your garden in a way that matches what you have in mind.
Fresh mulch
Spring is crucial for getting nutrients into your plants. Applying fresh mulch and compost, as well as ensuring the soil is right for the plants, is a great way to give your growing season a good start.
What do you have planned for your garden this spring?