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With the days beginning to grow longer, and with the temperatures creeping above 0, we are all ready to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring. Although we may be ready for spring, often our gardens are not, with the harsh winter taking a toll on our once-blooming gardens. That’s why, Rhino Greenhouses Direct has created the ultimate guide to get your garden ready for the spring.
Getting your garden ready for spring involves several key steps to ensure a healthy and vibrant garden. Here's a basic guide to get you started:
How to Prepare Your Garden for Spring
Clean Up:
It may sound simple, but one of the easiest ways to refresh your garden for the spring is to start by cleaning out your garden. Clear any rubbish that you may have lying around and start to free up any garden space that you want to use for gardening.
Create a Compost Area:
Clear space and create a compost area. Things like sticks and small branches that you find around your garden are great to add to your home compost pile as they add structure, promoting better aeration. Fallen leaves and pinecones can also be added to the compost pile as they are an excellent source of carbon and they add valuable minerals to the compost, enriching it with nutrients. If you already have a compost pile, don’t forget to give it a turn if you haven't in a while and have it ready for your soil.
Soil Preparation:
Spring is a great time to enrich your garden's soil. Add compost, manure, or a good-quality soil mix to provide essential nutrients. If you haven't done a soil test recently, it might be a good idea to do one to understand what nutrients your soil is lacking.
Maintenance and Décor:
As planting time approaches, it's essential to tidy up your garden plots, raised beds, and planters. Dive into some DIY to address any damage from the winter months and consider adding a fresh coat of paint to fences, trellises, planters, and raised beds in need of a revamp. Trust us; you'll thank yourself during the summer months. If you lead a busy lifestyle or DIY isn’t your forte, explore the Rhino Aluminium Raised Beds – these beauties are powder-coated and won't require annual maintenance.
Pruning and Trimming:
In early spring, it's ideal to prune summer-blooming shrubs like roses and hydrangeas, fruit trees, ornamental grasses, and certain perennials to encourage healthy growth and flowering. It's also important to trim back any winter-damaged branches on shrubs and prune specific varieties of clematis, ensuring tools are clean and sharp to prevent disease spread.
Lawn Care:
In early spring, it's beneficial to rake your lawn to remove thatch, aerate to allow air and nutrients to reach grass roots, and apply fertiliser as needed for a healthy, robust lawn by late spring. These steps help in promoting deeper root growth and preparing the lawn for active use in the warmer months.
Planting:
Once your soil is prepared and the last frost has passed, you can start planting. Spring is a great time for planting a variety of flowers, vegetables, and herbs. When heading down to your local garden centre you will need to look for summer-blooming bulbs or seeds that can planted in spring, which we’ll look at in more detail later in this article.
Mulching:
Applying a layer of mulch around your plants helps to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches, like wood chips or straw, can also improve soil quality as they decompose, so throw them onto the soil right away. If you have a compost pile from last year, now is the time to put it into action.
Watering:
Establish a regular watering schedule. Spring weather can be unpredictable, so be sure to keep an eye on moisture levels in the soil. Over-watering can be just as harmful as under-watering so buy yourself a soil moisture meter if you’re unsure how much water your plant needs.
Pest and Disease Control:
Monitor your plants for signs of pests or diseases. Early detection is key to managing these problems. Use environmentally friendly methods where possible, such as insecticidal soaps or wool pellets to deter slugs.
Tool Maintenance:
Ensure your gardening tools are in top condition by cleaning, sharpening and disinfecting them to help prevent the spread of disease. Check for any necessary repairs to make gardening more efficient. Organise your shed and greenhouse, tidying and sterilising as needed, and consider upgrading equipment to enhance your gardening experience.
Install a Water Butt:
Using a water butt is an environmentally friendly way to ensure a sustainable water supply for your garden. Collected rainwater is often better for plants compared to tap water, as it is rich in nitrogen and free from added chemicals like chlorine. Using it helps reduce reliance on mains water, conserving a valuable resource.
Move Deciduous Shrubs:
Winter is a great time to move any deciduous shrubs, as they’ll still be dormant. Move shrubs on a still day to prevent the wind from drying out the roots. Deciduous shrubs consist of hydrangeas, lilac and forsythia.
When planning and designing your garden, consider the layout, companion planting, colour schemes, and seasonal evolution, while also embracing the journey of gardening: enjoying the process of watching your garden grow and transform throughout the season.
What To Grow in a Spring Garden
Wondering what to plant in your garden during the late winter and early spring for a stunning summer display? You're in the perfect place to learn about the best bulbs and seeds to sow during this time for a vibrant and colourful garden.
Flowers to Sow in Late Winter/Early Spring
Late winter and early spring are ideal times to start sowing seeds for a vibrant garden. Here are some flower varieties to consider for successful cultivation during this season.
In Your Greenhouse/ Indoors
Snapdragons: Start snapdragon seeds in a propagator for early growth; they need a long growth period before flowering.
Geranium: Sow geranium seeds, known for vibrant and long-lasting flowers, or propagate from cuttings.
Dianthus Barbatus (Carnations): Plant dianthus barbatus seeds for fragrant, colourful additions to summer beds.
Lobelia Pendula: Start lobelia pendula seeds indoors for later use in containers and hanging baskets during warmer months.
Outdoors
Tulips: A springtime classic, tulips can be planted now for a later bloom than those planted in fall.
Daffodils: Known for their early spring blooms, these hardy flowers are often among the first signs of spring.
Crocuses: Small yet vibrant, crocuses can bloom even amidst snow, adding early colour to your garden.
Pansies and Violas: These flowers tolerate cooler temperatures and can be sown directly or started indoors.
Poppy Seeds: Sow directly in early spring; they flourish in cooler weather and bloom in late spring or early summer.
Vegetables to Start in Late Winter/Early Spring
Late winter and early spring offer an excellent opportunity to kickstart your vegetable garden. Here are some vegetable varieties to sow for a productive and early harvest:
In Your Greenhouse/ Indoors
First Early Potatoes: If you have an underutilised area in your garden or on your patio, consider potting potatoes. They can be started early by 'chitting' (allowing them to sprout) in a cool, light place before planting. Use module trays or egg boxes to stand them on end
Celeriac and Celery: Start celeriac and celery seeds in a heated propagator for strong seedlings that will later thrive in your garden.
Herbs on the balcony: Grow your favourite herb seeds on your windowsill or balcony. This not only adds colour and fragrance to your kitchen but also provides fresh herbs early in the year. Herbs like basil, parsley, and coriander can be started indoors and then moved outside when the weather warms up.
Salad Greens: Kickstart your salad greens, including cauliflowers, spring onions, and spinach, on a bright windowsill indoors for a delightful early harvest.
Broad Beans: Sow broad bean seeds in pots and keep them in a cold frame or an unheated greenhouse for early growth.
Outdoors
Radishes: Radishes are one of the quickest-growing vegetables. They can be sown early and are ready to harvest in a few weeks, perfect for early spring planting.
Lettuce and Greens: Plant cold-hardy vegetables like lettuce, which can re-grow and provide fresh leaves throughout the season.
Peas: Peas, such as snow and snap peas, can be directly sown for the best results in late winter/early spring. Peas are cold-hardy and can be sown as soon as the soil can be worked. They thrive in cool spring weather.
Root Vegetables: Vegetables like carrots, beets, and turnips can be sown directly outdoors in late winter/early spring.
Spinach and Kale: Spinach and Kale are cold-tolerant leafy greens and can be sown outdoors as soon as the ground is workable. They’re an excellent choice for early spring greens.
Fruit to Grow in Late Winter/Early Spring
Late winter and early spring are ideal times to get your fruit garden started. Here are fruit varieties to grow indoors, under cover, and outdoors for a delicious harvest:
In Your Greenhouse/ Indoors
Rhubarb: Sow rhubarb seeds thinly in a heated propagator or on a warm windowsill. Expect germination between 21 and 40 days after sowing.
Woodland Strawberries and 'Florian': Start woodland strawberries and the everbearing variety 'Florian' in seed trays indoors in a sheltered spot.
Outdoors
Raspberry Canes: If the soil isn't frozen or waterlogged, plant raspberry canes in sunny locations with free-draining soil. Choose multiple varieties for extended cropping.
Blueberries: Plant blueberries in acidic soil. Consider the unique 'Blueberry Pink Sapphire' for sweet, pink fruit.
Bare-Root Fruit Trees: Plant bare-root fruit trees in January, provided the ground isn't frozen. This step will help establish fruit trees for future harvests.
In the Cold Frame/Under Covers
Strawberries: Plant strawberries under cover to ensure an early summer crop.
Strawberry Runners: Plant strawberry runners and bare root plants under cloches for an earlier fruit harvest this summer.
As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of spring, these essential steps will help you prepare your garden for a season of vibrant growth and natural beauty. From tidying up and enriching the soil to planting a variety of flowers, vegetables, and herbs, each action contributes to the creation of a flourishing garden paradise. Remember to maintain your tools, embrace eco-friendly practices, and nurture your garden with care. With these strategies in place, your garden will not only thrive but also become a haven of colour, fragrance, and joy throughout the spring and beyond. Happy gardening and enjoy the transformation!
