I don’t know about you, but I feel a hint of spring in the air already. We may be a month away yet, but those first signs are beginning to creep in. The sun is rising a little earlier, and sitting a little higher in the sky. My garden is starting to wake up from its hibernation, and it’s almost time to get back into the outdoors.
I love this time of year, as it’s the perfect opportunity to start preparing for summer. Most gardeners and homeowners make the mistake of waiting until summer hits to make changes. When the summer finally arrives, you want to enjoy your garden, not work in it. Without further ado, here are the bits and bobs you can start working on now.
A big clean out – Your first job is clearing away the winter blues and debris. And trust me, there’s a lot of it. Start with your flower beds, and deadhead any plants that are beyond repair. Get rid of any weeds across your garden, and pull down any broken structures (like fences). Clean out the greenhouse or the shed, and bring it back to life. With all this work, you’re going to need something big to get rid of it all. Hire a waste removal team if things are really wild out there!
- Start planting spring and summer flowers – Some plants have a long growing season. It’s these that need a little head start, and there’s no reason you can’t plant them now. Hunt out the summer bloomers, and start planting them early. It will give your garden a burst of colour just as summer comes around. Don’t wait for summer to bloom before you start planting. Prepare it now, and the space will be full of life by May.
- Start removing pests – You might not realise it, but pests hibernate in your garden over the winter. They’re just waiting to eat all the green goodness when it sprouts next season. Take this opportunity now to remove them, and clean up your garden. Look for larvae, snails, and slugs all hiding out in the crowns of your perennials. You’ll also find them in last year’s pots and bedding. Getting rid of them now will save you a lot of hassle come the summer.
- Repair the fences and wooden structures – Fences, sheds, and trellises take a beating over the winter months. The harsh winds and rains put a lot of strain on these structures. Left for a couple of years without treatment, and you’re looking at an expensive replacement. On the other hand, if you simply repair them, you’ll get a long, healthy life out of them. Strengthen the foundations, repair cracks, and repaint them with protective varnish. Try changing the arrangement of your garden by moving furniture around too.
- Clean your gardening tools – Last of all, get your gardening tools out, and give them a thorough clean. They can easily start to rust over the winter, and that’s bad news. If any are too far gone, invest in new ones, and store them in a drier environment next year!
That’s all for today, folks! Best of luck with preparing your garden.
