As we see life being breathed back into our gardens, there is no better time to get your outdoor space ready for summer. Whether you have a simple plot or something far larger, there’s lots you can get on with now as we wait for the really nice weather to kick in. Here are a few tasks you can do in spring to prepare for summer. 

5 spring gardening jobs

1 Tidy up over the winter

If it’s anything like mine, your garden will have become unrecognisable. Most of us aren’t disciplined enough to drag ourselves into the garden over winter. It’s not uncommon to step outside and see what was a blooming oasis has turned into something much less desirable. 

But don’t worry, you’re not alone and spring is the perfect time to give your garden the once over and have a bit of a spring clean. 

You can start by removing any dead leaves that may be lying on the lawn, in flower beds or stacked up against shed walls. Make sure you give any patios or decked areas a good sweep and a blast with the pressure washer. 

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For gardeners that have polytunnels or greenhouses, now is the time to give these a spruce up. You can clean the structure itself with a disinfection, just make sure you allow it to properly dry to avoid problems with damp. And don’t forget to get rid of any rubbish left over from last year or anything you’ve stored inside over winter. 

The hazy spring sunshine is also the time to give garden benches and wooden structures a fresh coat of paint. It’s amazing how much better everything looks with some bright paint on sheds, arbours, and benches. 

2 Sharpen and prepare your garden tools. 

Now is the time of year that you will start planting and getting a little more intense with your garden chores. But you can’t do that with blunt equipment. 

Any garden tools with blades such as shears, pruners, loppers and even your lawn mower will need to be sharpened now. This is of the utmost importance as once you start using them, you’ll want them to produce a clean cut which helps your plants heal more quickly. 

If you don’t want to sharpen them yourself or don’t have the necessary equipment, it’s entirely possible to take them to a professional who will do it for you. 

3 Sow your vegetable seeds

If you’re an avid veggie grower then the early spring months of March and April are the ideal time to get those hardy seeds on the go. Doing it now will allow you to enjoy your yield when summer rolls around. 

Now is the time to plant things like carrots, radish and beetroot. However, if you have a greenhouse or polytunnel, it’s also possible to start sowing less hardy veggies like cucumbers and aubergines. Just don’t forget to give that polytunnel a good clear out before your start 

4 Refresh your pots and containers. 

There is plenty you can do where your pots and containers are concerned in spring to prepare plants that will bloom in summer. If you want a bright and beautiful garden come the warmer months then you’ll need to start planting flowers and shrubs in containers. 

Go for lots of different sizes and textures to make for a really appealing garden. If you have a selection of shrubs that are already potted up, you’ll need to perform some maintenance so that they thrive come summer. Remove the top layer of compost and replace this to ensure that your plants are given a boost. 

5 Make a start on the lawn 

As a rule of thumb, mowing season begins during the first two weeks of April. Just before you do that first mow, take the time to give your lawn some TLC. 

Start by tidying along the edges, especially if you’re planning to sow any seeds along here. You’ll also need to remove any moss and thatch which you can do either by using a scarifier or using a moss killer. If you haven’t already, you’ll also need to rake and remove any leaves and other debris from the lawn. 

When it comes to the first mow, remember the one third rule. You should never remove more than one third of the length of the grass. Since your lawn will have grown long over winter, you’ll need to set your mower at the highest cutting height and gradually reduce this over the coming weeks. 

Whatever your planting scheme this year you’ll find all the shrubs, roses, trees and plants you need here at Direct Plant. We have thousands of plants in our nursery all ready to be picked, packed and dispatched straight to your door.