Preparing Your Garden for Spring: A Seasonal Guide

Spring is an exciting and energising time for keen gardeners. As winter recedes, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and breathe life back into your outdoor space. Late March and early April mark a crucial period for preparing for the growing season. Here’s how to ensure your garden is ready for the seasonal transition.

General Maintenance and Garden Preparation

Spring is a time to do the hard yards in preparing your garden, giving it the best chance to thrive in the months ahead. Ensure your tools are in good condition by cleaning and sharpening them before the busiest planting months ahead. Start your preparation by clearing debris, removing dead leaves, fallen branches, and old plant matter to tidy up beds and borders, reducing the risk of pests and disease.

Start mowing your lawn on dry days with a high setting on your mower, gradually reducing the height as the season progresses. Prune and cut back dead growth on perennials, shrubs, and roses to encourage new, healthy shoots.

Feeding and mulching in early spring always pays dividends. Apply a balanced fertiliser to encourage strong growth and spread a layer of mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Spring showers can be unpredictable, so set up rainwater collection systems and ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging. Consider adding a birdbath or insect-friendly habitats to support biodiversity.

Best Plants and Flowers to Plant in Late March/Early April

As the warmer weather takes over, it’s time to sow and plant a variety of flowers and crops that will thrive in the milder spring conditions.

Consider planting hardy annuals: flowers such as cornflowers, calendula, and poppies can be sown directly into the soil now. While autumn is the best time for bulb planting, late March is still suitable for planting summer-flowering bulbs like lilies and gladioli. Encourage pollinators by planting nectar-rich flowers like lavender and primroses.

You can also start sowing vegetables such as carrots, beetroot, spinach, and early varieties of peas and lettuce outdoors. If you have a greenhouse, tomatoes and peppers can be started indoors and transplanted later. Hardy herbs like chives, parsley, and mint can also be planted at this time of year, providing fresh flavours for your kitchen throughout the season.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

While the temperatures are on the rise at this time of year, the UK weather is still prone to fluctuations and frost damage can still pose a threat to young plants. With that in mind, it’s worth being cautious when planting tender crops. Set aside fleeces or cloches to protect them during chilly nights.

Also be wary of overeager planting. The excitement of spring can lead to premature planting, so make sure the soil is warm enough before sowing seeds, as cold, damp soil can lead to poor germination and root rot. After months of winter rain, soil can become compacted and depleted. Before planting, enrich your soil with organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to boost fertility.

Early spring is also a key period to prevent weed proliferation. Weeds can quickly take over if left unchecked, so start weeding early to prevent them from competing with your newly planted flowers and vegetables.

Pests such as slugs and snails become active as temperatures rise. Use organic deterrents like crushed eggshells or beer traps to protect vulnerable seedlings.

Embrace the joys!

Even if you’re not naturally green-fingered, it’s worth investing extra time and effort in the garden in March and April. By planning ahead and preparing the ground, you’ll set the stage for a lush and vibrant garden throughout the warmer months.

Get your gloves on, dust off your tools, and embrace the joys of spring gardening!

With an Erris Home, you’ll have a brand-new garden and a blank canvas for your horticultural artistry! We’re currently building a wide range of 3 and 4 bedroom homes at Calder Mews in Greetland, where some plots are ready for spring move.

To find out more, contact Erris Homes on 0113 531 0000 or caldermews@errishomes.com

To find out the latest availability at Calder Mews and arrange an appointment to view, contact Edkins & Holmes on 0142 255 3510 or enquiries@edkinsandholmes.co.uk