Feature | Spring gardening
downsmail.co.uk
Top 10 – your checklist for a successful garden
Spring is the season of hope, new beginnings, fresh starts and blossoming buds. Getting your garden in order early will help make spring a little less hectic. Here are Chris Lawson’s top tips...
freesias, lilies, gladioli, peonies, agapanthus and be- gonias as the warmer weather heralds stunning flowers in all colours – as well as the wildlife and pollinators they all attract.
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Tidy your flower beds and borders Re- move any leaves and debris from winter and clear beds and borders back to bare soil for a fresh start. Cut back the old dead growth of herbaceous perennial plants and dig a layer of well-rotted manure or compost into empty gar- den borders.
prevent the spread of disease. Dirty secateurs may introduce bacteria and fungi to fresh pruning wounds. Use hot water, detergent and a scourer to give bladed tools a thorough clean.
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Install water butts and composters Rain- water is good for plants and essential for an
environmentally-friendly garden. Compost bins can be purchased ready-made or easily con- structed using spare wood or pallets. A good mixture of grass cuttings, vegetable peelings and woody prunings will create a rich mixture to ben- efit all plants.
Check fences, gates and trellis Garden boundaries will need some small maintenance
to ensure they are in good condition for summer. Use a dry brush to remove dirt and debris, fol- lowed by a power wash or hose to remove stub- born dirt and mildew. Finish with a wood preservative to enhance the quality and longevity of your fence.
Give your tools a clean and sharpen This not only helps preserve them, but also helps
Mow the grass Regular mowing with the correct mowing height is the secret to effec-
tive spring lawn care. Cutting height should gen- erally be 3-4cm. Feed your lawn in spring and again in summer to increase strength and health. Treat weeds and moss quickly and effectively using a lawn weedkiller.
Build raised beds These are a convienient way to grow a wide range of plants, particu-
larly fruit and vegetables. A great way to boost drainage, they are also beneficial if you have re- stricted mobility as they reduce the need to bend. A useful guide to building a raised bed can be found at
www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gar- dening/
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Protect your fruit trees and bushes You can stop birds and nocturnal animals feasting
on your produce by covering crops with protec- tive netting. Provide birds with an alternative food source, like nuts in a bird feeder.
Brush up your artificial lawns More spring, less cleaning is the motto for those en-
joying the benefits of artificial grass, but there is still a little work to be done. Use a hose and brush to clean away stones and dirt, and prevent weeds sprouting through the permeable backing with of a non-toxic weedicide. In return, you get a low-maintenance lawn which looks good and doesn’t require a mower.
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Get pruning To ensure your plants flower well each year they need to be
pruned. Cutting the deadwood allows the plant more breathing room and light for healthier growth and less chance of disease.
Order summer-flowering bulbs and seeds Watch your garden burst into life with
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