Spring is a wonderful time of year. The longer and warmer days see us, at last, shedding the layers we dressed in for hibernation and once again beginning to venture outdoors. Our gardens will be looking a little worse for wear after our season indoors, and getting them spring ready can seem like a difficult job. But preparing your garden is simple work; you just need to know where to start!
Preparing Your Tools
Before you set out to do anything with your garden, you should take some time to prepare your tools. A season of disuse can lead to a number of issues, not in the least poor lubrication and rusting. Cleaning and oiling your gardening tools will ensure their safe operation and longevity, while sharpening will make your life much easier.
Lawn Care
Mowing the grass should be at the top of your list of gardening tasks to prepare for the spring. Grass grows at a slower pace during the winter, but can still grow to a considerable length. Mowing will enable you to see your garden a little clearer, and make tidying up a far easier task – you won’t have to fight your tall grass for fallen branches and leaves. Once you’ve mowed, be sure to rake over your grass to clean up any debris and allow new blades to grow.
Tree Maintenance
One of the more involved parts of preparing your garden for spring is maintaining your trees. The beginning of spring is the perfect time to attend to your foliage and to influence the way in which your trees grow. You can prune any new branches that threaten to grow in the wrong direction, ensuring the tree positively reinforces branches growing in a suitable direction. You can also use this time to check your trees for any signs of infection or disease, and ensure they are healthy.
Cleaning Your Polytunnel
If you are more of the crop-growing type, chances are you have rows of allotment-style planters and a polytunnel for growing crops that prefer a warmer climate. Spring is a crucial time for the planting of new fruit and veg plants, and clean polytunnels make for growth free of complications from disease or bacteria. Take care when cleaning out your polytunnel – use white vinegar and lemon juice where possible to wipe down surfaces, as chemical cleaners can pose a risk to delicate plants.
Preparing Your Beds
Your flowerbeds will need some special attention ahead of the spring season, in order to ensure optimal growth for your flowering plants. First, you’ll want to remove any dead leaves and debris – contrary to popular belief, they can actually hamper growth, being home to harmful bacteria as opposed to useful nutrients. After this, turn over the old soil to reveal fresh soil beneath and upend old roots. At this point, new soil and compost can be useful to introduce. Lastly, you can introduce your seeds.