The frost and snow on the ground, though hard to take temperature wise, are often pretty to admire but personally we can’t wait for the Spring. New blooms and wonderful colours, planning our plots and gardens and looking forward to all the great new plants, bird baths and accessories we can buy to revitalise the garden after a damp and dreary Winter.
We thought we’d clear out the cobwebs (or the dead foliage to coin a gardening phrase) and offer some top tips on how to get your garden ready for Spring.
Clean Up & Get Ready
Maybe not the most enjoyable part of getting ready for Spring but an essential part all the same. Remove and compost any dead plants that have been left in over the Winter. Hopefully you’ve left any perennials for now without pruning as most like to be left during the Winter for extra protection, if so, once new growth is visible at the bottom begin removing the winter mulch and pruning them down to ground level.
- Weeding & Composting – Early Spring is the ideal time to take action against weeds. These are one thing not to compost however to ensure you don’t see them again in multiples later in the year.
- Edging – A must to perfect any garden and make all that hard work worthwhile. Edging your garden frames of the now clear beds in readiness for adding new plants, pots, shrubs and trees.
- Grasses – When it comes to ornamental grasses cut them back as soon as you can get to them without waiting for new growth. Cut back leaving only a couple of inches above the ground.
- Roses – With roses the trick is to cut back to the first bud on each stem once you see signs of new buds forming to give them a wakeup call to start growing again. A good cut will be as close to the bud as possible.
Prep Your Soil
Aerate and loosen the soil by turning over the soil using a fork. If you want to be a little more thorough test the type of soil you have and turn through compost and manure accordingly.
Get the Right Tools and the Right Space for the Job
Get all your tools together, scrub them down and replace any that are looking a little worse for wear. Not got a fancy shed or greenhouse with a workbench? Find an old table or piece of work top and give it a little TLC, maybe a lick of paint and voila you have yourself a potting table!
Here at The Orchard you can get a range of tools to get your gardening in full swing. Our new Sophie Conron collection from reputed garden tool manufacturers Burgon & Ball are as beautiful as they are practical;-
http://www.theorchardhomeandgifts.com/section.php/1252/1/burgon—ball.
Rake Over Lawns
If you have the time and are fortunate to grass in your garden, raking over your lawn to remove Winter debris and aerate the roots will ensure new growth and a lush piece of grass come the finer weather.
Do A Little For Wildlife & Our Feathered Friends
Clean down feeders, bird baths and boxes or treat your garden friends to some new creature comforts and a new place to dine, we’ve got some great pieces to get you started:
http://www.theorchardhomeandgifts.com/section.php/117/1/creature-comforts
Plan to Succeed
Put a plan together that ensures you will have colour across the seasons. Choose plants you love and also those that will love your soil type. To reduce the amount of planting required in large beds create areas of pots and features that will be planted up to add extra colour further above the ground.
If you want to take the time, draw out what will grow where during each month to keep your beds full and colourful. Why not take some tips from the Royal Horticultural Society and start planning your garden today: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/design
Bird Baths & Feeders At The Orchard
To see more of our outdoor range, including our fantastic collection of bird baths and garden accessories visit our website here: http://www.theorchardhomeandgifts.com/section.php/5/1/outdoor-living