Spring offers the ideal weather conditions to refresh the look of your house and garden. The latter can be subject to cold and strong winter winds, which can damage shrubs, plants and bulbs. But worry not – this is nothing that can’t be fixed with some love and attention. If you want to give your spring garden a new lease of life, discover our top tips in this guide.
Have a general tidy up
The first step towards a healthy-looking spring garden is to remove debris, dead leaves and plants from the flowerbeds and borders. Don’t be afraid to rip out a fair amount. The bare garden might look sad, but there’s no point trying to save it.
Rising temperatures will accelerate growth in borders and beds, so keep the weeds under control with regular hoeing. If the soil is moist, mulch the borders in early spring.
Watch out for wildlife
While you tidy up your space, watch out for wildlife! Your winter growth may be home to insects and amphibians, and birds may have settled their nests in hidden corners. So, always check before pruning hedges or shrubs.
Clean and sharpen gardening tools
Before filling your garden with beautiful flowerbeds and plants, dedicate some time to cleaning and sharpening your tools. This can prevent diseases from spreading, as dirty secateurs can carry bacteria and fungi.
Mix a strong detergent with warm water to scrub bladed tools, and apply some oil or WD40 after sharpening them. Remember to clean your hand tools, too, including spades and rakes.
Maintain fences, gates and trellises
The end of winter is the perfect time to tackle maintenance jobs, including replacing or fixing old fences, gates, and trellises. This way, you can enjoy spring and summer days in your garden hassle-free.
Clean fence panels and gates with a washer to remove grime and mildew, and use a brush to remove stubborn dirt. Let everything dry properly before applying paint or wood preservatives.
Prune your shrubs
The end of winter is a great time to prune shrubs and bushes, such as flowering trees, vines, evergreens and perennials.
Pruning involves cutting back and removing certain parts of a plant, including branches, bulbs, or roots. This occurs when the plant outgrows its space or begins to look old. For mature or congested plants, removing some of the older growth encourages them to revive from their base.
You’ll need hand pruners, loppers and a pruning saw to ensure the best results.
Prepare the soil
Due to the cold weather, soil can become hard and compact during winter. To loosen it, use a sharp spade or tiler. Add compost, as this will improve the soil's texture, nutrient content and moisture retention. Then, rake the soil and add a small amount of water to make it the perfect base for growing spring plants and flowers.
Creating a composting area
A compost area is where you can store all your organic waste. You can either buy a ready-made compost bin or make your own with some spare wood. Use a mix of grass clippings, vegetable peelings and paper prunings, and remember to stir the compost with a fork monthly to keep it aerated.
Plant new bulbs
Planting bulbs is a very straightforward process once you’ve prepped your spring garden. Dig a deep hole, place the bulb inside, water abundantly and cover. Ensure the crown is at soil level so the plant can pierce through. Bulbs shouldn’t be too close to each other, as they won’t bloom properly, and your garden will look overcrowded.
Flowers like lilies, gladioli and ranunculus can be ordered in the winter for early spring planting.
Choose the right plants
What plants you choose for your spring garden depends on your personal taste and the available space, as well as your soil type and garden aspect.
If your garden is small, consider growing plants in containers. Bulbs and annuals are ideal, as they can be replanted each year to create new combinations. Parsley, basil and thyme also do well in pots.
Spacious gardens can benefit from multiple blossom trees. Would you prefer one with multi-season interest or one that produces fruit? Think about how they’ll complement each other – whether they’ll follow the same colour scheme or boast contrasting tones. There’s no right or wrong way to choose plants for your garden – trust your tastes!
Explore more tips on how to get your front garden right in our guide.
Water and keep check of your garden
It’s important to monitor your garden to ensure good soil condition and healthy plants. Water it regularly and use plant fertiliser monthly.
If you can, install a water butt to collect rainfall – this is the best type of water for plants since it’s not alkaline.
Most of our brand-new homes in the UK enjoy generous garden space. So, if you’re ready to become a homeowner, browse our range of stylish 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom properties. We also have fantastic offers to help you get moving.
Call our Sales Advisers today to reserve your home.
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