Spring Garden Timetable

Green fingered gardeners are being given advice on the best time to do their spring chores.

The team of experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have researched the main gardening jobs and when gardeners should be doing them.

‎Despite mild temperatures, they recommend holding back on some tasks like planting seeds, advising garden lovers to start these in the greenhouse or indoors first.

There are plenty of jobs to be getting on with straight away including clearing and cutting back last year’s plants and getting borders in top condition before replanting.

A spokesperson for GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: “With the days longer and the weather becoming milder, now is the perfect time to get out in the garden and start getting ready for the spring and summer seasons.

“There is still the chance of a frost and lower temperatures, so timing your gardening chores is essential to ensure you don’t to anything that will harm young plants.

“Early jobs including clearing away any debris from last year and the winter, then as you move through the spring, chores like mowing the lawn and dead heading bulbs.”

Here is GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk guide to spring garden chores:

Early Spring

Clear back last year’s plants

Before you start replanting for a glorious display in the summer, clear out all the old plants from last year. Cut back perennials and add all the dead leaves to your compost heap.

Feed your borders

Rather than spend a fortune on expensive composts, just add some manure. You want your soil in top condition before you replant.

Plant seeds

Don’t plant directly into the ground, instead plant in your greenhouse or indoors to give your seedlings a good chance of survival.

Mid Spring

Mowing the lawn

Give your lawn an early mow – make sure it’s dry – and then continue to mow regularly throughout spring and summer. Apply lawn weed and feed too.

Plant new roses, trees, shrubs and perennials

Use early spring to think about your new planting scheme. Choose suitable plants to suit that look – remember to think about where you plant them and whether they’re appropriate for your soil.

Cutting hedges

Make sure hedges are given a good cut to help them form a shape for the rest of the spring and summer. This is even more important if the hedges are new. It’s then worth trimming back every four to six weeks to maintain the shape.

Cleaning paving / decking

Now’s a good time to get out the pressure washer and blast the remains of winter from your patio and decking. Remember to treat, especially decking, once the area is all cleaned down.

Late Spring

Take cuttings

Late spring is a good time to take softwood cuttings of hardy and half-hardy perennials. Collect cuttings early in the day and non-flowering shoots as they will root better.

Prune spring flowering shrubs

Don’t forget to cutback any early flowering shrubs ready for next year and dead head your bulbs. Let the foliage die back without removing it.