1. The Garden Spring Clean

 

Chop back your trees and shrubs to make your garden manageable. Use large hedge cutters or a lopper to reach tall trees and get rid of any large cuttings in the garden waste bin, then use small pieces for compost.

To make a good compost, you need an even mix of materials that are rich in nitrogen and carbon. Nitrogen comes from fresh green material such as grass clippings. Carbon comes from brown material, such as woody stems.

Get rid of any dead and diseased clippings to prevent spread to the healthy foliage. Use a rake to clear leaves and a broom to clean up any patio or decking area.

2. Giving The Lawn a Fresh Trim

 

Spring is the perfect time to mow your lawn ready for the summer weather to produce healthy green grass. Add these grass cuttings to your compost and trim around the edges of your lawn to neaten up.

Any uneven or sparse patches of grass can be scattered with grass seeds and feed to help the new growth of grass grow more evenly.

3. Sort Through and Organise Your Shed or Greenhouse

Now that the weather is warmer in spring it is a great time to be outside sorting out your shed, cleaning any mud or leaves and making sure that any plants are not forgotten in the corner.

Get rid of any old broken pots or water trays as they can build up year after year! Make space for fresh produce in your greenhouse if you like to grow your own. Now is a great time to sow them, ready for ripe fruit in the summer.

4. Weeding and Soil Preparation

Remove as many weeds as you can, dig underneath the root and remove to prevent them coming back quickly. Use a small gardening knife or spade tool to get between patio slabs and remove those more difficult-to-get weeds, for any of those stubborn ones, use a weedkiller to kill the root.

Rake over your soil to maintain airflow and ensure that when you start to plant new perennials, they will have the best growing matter possible. New topsoil is a good idea when you are getting your garden ready for spring.

5. Make Your Garden Furniture Sparkle Again

Whether made of plastic, wood or wicker, your garden furniture can get naturally dirty throughout the winter from rain and debris. Plastic is pretty easy to revive with some warm soapy water and a sponge. Start with a simple clean and then use the appropriate wood oil to seal it and protect it from the elements.

With wooden furniture, a pressure washer works best. It is recommended that cushions are kept indoors, however if you have left them outside, giving them a steam or sponge down should make a big difference.

6. Get Rid of Pests and Protect Your Plants

 

Even though you’ve taken the time to help prevent diseases from spreading throughout your garden with general garden cleanliness, but sometimes pests are still drawn to your plants.

Check underneath leaves for bugs and flies. Some species can be brushed off, but others will need a specialist pest treatment. Keep an eye on slugs to prevent leaves being eaten and protect fruit plants with netting where possible, otherwise provide a bird feeder to draw their attention away from your plants.