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Spring Gardening Checklist

Spring

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There is nothing quite like spring in the garden: the promise of warmer days ahead, the chance to grow your favourite plants or entirely new ones, and the anticipation of harvesting crops and seeing flowers blossom. The work you put in now will ensure a thriving, lush garden bursting with life in the months ahead.

Whether you are reviving flower beds, tending to your lawn, or preparing for a season of homegrown produce, this comprehensive checklist will help you get your garden in prime condition.

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Spring Gardening Checklist: Essential Jobs to Tackle

1. Refresh Your Patio and Outdoor Spaces

Winter often leaves a layer of grime and debris, so start your gardening season by revitalising your outdoor living areas. A well-maintained patio or deck sets the stage for relaxing and entertaining throughout the warmer months.

Sweep away accumulated leaves, dirt, and debris, ensuring that no organic matter is left to stain surfaces.
Use a long-handled weeding knife to clear moss and weeds from cracks, preventing them from spreading.
Apply a patio cleaner, such as Resolva Xtra Clean Ready to Use Patio Power Clean, to remove green algae, mould, and black spots, restoring the fresh appearance of your paving.
Clean and refresh garden furniture, fences, trellises, and decorative pots, ensuring they are in good condition and ready for use.
- Pro tip: Use Resolva on these areas too for a complete outdoor refresh.
If needed, re-sand paving joints and apply a sealant to prevent future moss growth and prolong the life of your hardscaping.

2. Revive Your Lawn With Care and Maintenance

A lush, green lawn is the centrepiece of any garden, and early spring is the best time to start giving it the attention it needs to thrive.

Rake away dead grass, fallen leaves, and moss that have built up over winter to allow light and air to reach the soil.
Apply a lawn feed, weed, and moss killer like Aftercut All In One to strengthen grass and keep weeds at bay, ensuring even growth and resilience.
For a child- and pet-safe option, use Westland SafeLawn, a natural feed enriched with nutrients that help grass outcompete weeds.
Repair bare patches with Gro-Sure Smart Seed, which is formulated for quick germination and healthy coverage, restoring an even lawn surface.
Mow the lawn for the first time this year, setting the mower blades high to avoid damaging tender new growth. A gradual reduction in mowing height over the following weeks will promote dense, healthy turf.
Aerate the lawn using a garden fork or aerator to improve drainage, reduce compaction, and allow roots to access oxygen, water, and nutrients more effectively.
Edge lawn borders neatly with a half-moon edger for a polished and professional appearance.

3. Tidy Up Beds and Borders

A well-maintained border not only looks attractive but also encourages strong plant growth and reduces competition from weeds.

Hilliers K&S Assets Carbon Digging Spade & Fork

Remove weeds, fallen leaves, and debris from flower beds and borders to prevent pests and diseases from taking hold.
Turn the soil, breaking up compacted areas, and work in compost or well-rotted manure to improve nutrient levels and soil structure.
Apply a layer of organic mulch around plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Define edges using a half-moon edger or border spade to create neat, sharp lines that give your garden a professional, well-maintained appearance.

4. Prune for Stronger, Healthier Growth

Pruning in early spring sets the stage for robust plant development, better air circulation, and abundant flowering throughout the growing season.

Cut back buddleja to the lowest few buds to maintain a manageable shape and encourage vigorous flowering later in summer.
Deadhead hydrangeas, removing spent flower heads carefully to promote fresh blooms and prevent disease.
Prune winter-flowering shrubs such as lonicera (honeysuckle) to keep them tidy and encourage bushy growth.
Feed roses with a high potash rose feed, such as Westland Rose Food, to promote healthy root development and abundant flowering.
Lightly trim evergreen hedges to maintain their shape before new growth begins in earnest.

5. Plant for a Beautiful Summer Display

Spring is the perfect time to plant bulbs and bedding plants that will bloom throughout summer, bringing colour and vibrancy to your garden.

Plant summer-flowering bulbs such as gladioli, crocosmia (coppertips), begonias, and hesperantha to create a stunning seasonal display.
Sow wildflower seeds in April to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting biodiversity and enhancing your garden’s ecological health.
Add spring bedding plants like primroses, violas, and pansies to provide bursts of colour while summer plants establish.
Sow hardy annuals, including gypsophila (baby’s-breath), impatiens (touch-me-nots), geraniums, and marigolds, for a reliable summer flower display with minimal maintenance.
Start sunflowers in pots or directly in borders to enjoy their bright, towering blooms later in summer, perfect for attracting pollinators and adding height to your garden.
Introduce perennials such as echinacea (coneflower), and lupins to provide structure and longevity, reducing the need for replanting each year.

6. Grow Your Own Vegetables and Herbs

Growing your own food is a rewarding way to enjoy fresh, organic produce straight from your garden.

Sow vegetable seeds such as carrots, spinach, lettuce, and peas directly into well-prepared soil for a healthy and productive harvest.
Plant onion sets, garlic, shallots, and seed potatoes to enjoy homegrown staples that require minimal maintenance.
Sow herbs like chives, coriander, dill, and parsley in beds, containers, or window boxes for easy access when cooking.

7. Install a Water Butt for Sustainable Gardening

Conserving water is essential for an eco-friendly garden, and collecting rainwater helps reduce reliance on tap water.

Position a water butt beneath a downpipe to capture rainwater for watering plants during dry spells.
Use stored rainwater for acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons and camellias, as it is naturally soft and slightly acidic.
Reduce water waste and lower your environmental impact while keeping your garden hydrated.

8. Stay on Top of Weed Control

Weeds can quickly take over if left unchecked, competing with plants for nutrients and space.

Remove weeds regularly before they establish deep roots and spread.
Apply mulch to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.
Use natural weed control methods, such as hoeing or boiling water, to minimise chemical use and promote healthier soil.

9. Organise Your Shed and Greenhouse

A tidy and organised workspace makes gardening more efficient and enjoyable.

Clean greenhouse glass to maximise light levels for seedlings.
Arrange seed trays, plant labels, and pots so they are easy to find.
Install hooks for tools, add shelving for supplies, and use a hose hanger to prevent kinks and tangles.
Check garden tools for damage and sharpen blades where needed to ensure smooth operation.

10. Start a Compost Pile for a Sustainable Garden

Composting is an excellent way to recycle garden waste and enrich your soil naturally.

Collect garden waste such as pruned branches, grass clippings, and fallen leaves.
Use a compost accelerator like Garotta to speed up decomposition.
Maintain a balance of green (moist) and brown (dry) materials to support a healthy composting process.

By tackling these essential jobs, your garden will be in top shape for a season of flourishing growth, stunning blooms, and fresh homegrown produce.

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