As the days grow longer and temperatures begin to rise, your garden is ready to spring back to life. March and April are crucial months for preparing your outdoor space for the seasons ahead. Here are some essential tasks to get your garden in top shape:
Tidy Up and Prune
Start by removing dead leaves, debris, and winter damage from flower beds and borders. Prune shrubs and trees that have outgrown their space or suffered over the winter, paying particular attention to roses and fruit trees.
Prepare the Soil
Dig over garden beds and add well-rotted compost or manure to enrich the soil. This will provide essential nutrients for new plant growth. Forking over compacted soil also improves drainage, crucial for the unpredictable spring weather.
Sow Seeds and Plant Bulbs
March and April are ideal for sowing hardy annuals and vegetable seeds like lettuce, spinach, and peas. You can also plant summer-flowering bulbs such as lilies and gladioli. If the weather is still chilly, start seeds indoors to give them a head start.
Feed and Mulch
Give your plants a boost with a balanced fertilizer to support vigorous spring growth. Apply mulch around perennials to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Be mindful of slugs and snails that thrive in damp conditions – use barriers or eco-friendly deterrents to protect young shoots.
Lawn Care
Rake out moss and dead grass before mowing your lawn for the first time. Set your mower to a higher setting to avoid stressing the grass and apply a spring lawn feed to encourage strong growth.
Get Your Patio Ready
Clean and repair patios and pathways to remove algae and moss build-up. A pressure wash works wonders, and repairing loose or damaged slabs now will make your space ready for summer entertaining.
By investing time and effort into your garden now, you’ll reap the rewards as the growing season progresses. With a bit of preparation and care, your garden will soon be bursting with colour and life.
