It’s time to start prepping your garden for spring and here, Catherine Carton, shares all her top tips!
Assess any winter damage
Before diving into your garden refresh, take a gentle walk around and check for any winter damage. Look out for broken branches, frost- bitten plants, and any repairs that might be needed along fences or raised beds. But remember, don’t be too quick to clear everything away. Natural debris can provide shelter for hibernating insects and animals and come spring, these little garden helpers will start to wake up. So a light tidy-up now, rather than a deep clean, is best.
Refresh the soil
Good soil is the foundation of a thriving garden, and after a long, wet winter, it can often do with a little TLC. Aerating compacted soil, adding fresh compost, and working in organic matter will help to boost nutrients and improve structure. This is also a great time to mulch your borders— fine bark or well-rotted manure will not only enrich the soil but also lock in moisture and suppress weeds.
Look after your roses
This is the perfect time to prune most rose varieties (except for rambling roses, which should be pruned after flowering in late summer). With a clean, sharp pair of secateurs and some gloves, remove any dead or damaged canes, as well as small, twiggy stems and those that cross over each other. Old, woody stems don’t bloom as well so trim those back close to the base. The aim is to create an open, vase-like shape to encourage healthy growth and better air flow.
Pruning hydrangeas for a healthy, flower-filled season
Similarly, this is the ideal time to give your hydrangeas their spring trim. Some hydrangeas, like large-leafed Hydrangea (popular mop head variety), bloom on old wood, meaning they should only have dried flowers and frozen shoots removed. Others, such as tree- like hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescent) and Caspian hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata), bloom on new wood, which means you can prune them harder and it won’t impact flowering. Taking care of them now will reward you with a gorgeous display throughout the summer. They typically bloom from June or July and can last all the way until October or even November. Their flower heads also dry beautifully, making them perfect for autumn wreaths or indoor arrangements.
Planning what to plant and ordering seeds
Early spring is the perfect time to plan ahead and get your seeds started. For flowers, sow sweet peas, cosmos, and snapdragons indoors first, while hardy annuals like calendula and corn flowers can be directly sown outdoors. If you’re growing veg, start broad beans, onions, and peas now, and get a head start on tomatoes and chillies indoors. Set your garden up for a colourful and productive season!
Head to Catherine’s website DaintyDressDiaries.com for more