With winter beginning to wane and spring just around the corner, many garden lovers have already started thinking about the new planting season. There are a range of different bulbs that can be planted once the weather starts to warm up a bit.
First, however, you need to prepare your garden and get it ready for spring.
Pick and Order Your Plants
You can pick up seeds and bulbs at most supermarkets, or perhaps pay a visit to your local garden centre or order online. This is the best time to shop around and choose what plants you want for your garden. Many varieties need to be planted or started off in a greenhouse over the next couple of months.
There are thousands of different plants to choose from, including Lungwort which, despite it’s ugly name, has a beautiful shaded flower that looks spectacular over the spring and early summer period. Wallflowers have a delicate bloom that complements any garden space. There are traditional clematis varieties that will also bring your garden to life.
The good news is there are plenty of resources online with lists plants and varieties that you can mix and match in the garden. The key is to balance colours and varieties so that they, hopefully, work together. Some you may want to plant in the borders, others might look better in a large, central pot or in a hanging basket.
Clearing Your Garden
The first practical thing you need to do is get you garden cleaned up after the winter. Have a general tidy up around the borders and remove any debris, cut back dead growth and perhaps give your evergreens if you have them, a little trim.
If you have a compost heap, now is also the time to start sifting that and spreading it about the soil. If you don’t yet have a compost heap, consider building one. They’re easy to create and are great for the environment and your garden.
Cleaning the Greenhouse
Not every garden has one, but if you own a greenhouse just before spring is the best time to give it a good clean and get it ready for your new crops. There are many plants that benefit from being started off in the greenhouse before they are planted in the garden. These include varieties such as begonias and geraniums. If you’re planning to have a crop of vegetables in your garden this year then it’ll soon be time to plant aubergine and peppers.
Moving Plants
You may want to move some plants to a different location. If you have deciduous shrubs, then the end of February and beginning of march is the best time to dig these up as they are still dormant. You want to move as much as the live root as possible and replant at a similar level once you have selected a new location. Remember to water once all this is done.
Fixing Your Garden
It’s also a good idea to undertake any repairs after the winter. Check areas like trellises, fences and gates to ensure they’re in good condition. If a trellis has seen better days, now is a good time to replace it rather than waiting for things to start growing around it. While you’re at it, you can get out all your gardening tools and give them a quick clean in preparation for the new season.
