If you’re lucky enough to have some outside space, however small it might be, then the spring months are perfect for getting out there and making the most of it.
For some people this might simply mean doing some very basic maintenance jobs to keep their garden looking in good shape. For others, this is the time of year when they can start getting really stuck into growing and tending to flowers and vegetables.
It doesn’t matter if you’re green fingered or not, gardening is open to everyone and you don’t need to be an expert horticulturist to make a go of it.
Here are some of the jobs you could undertake in the spring months of March, April and May.
Start planting
If you plan to grow your own this year, then now is the time to get going.
Most vegetables should be sown in spring, but the best approach is to double check the seed packets to find out when exactly they should be sown and how.
Some seeds, such as broad beans, carrots, radish and beetroot (a particularly easy choice if you’re new to growing vegetables) or hardy pea varieties, can be sown directly into the earth. Others, such as tomatoes or salad leaves, need to start indoors to be planted out after all risk of frost has passed.
Now is also the time to plant some flower seeds. Some, such as annual wildflower mixes and hardy annuals, can be sown directly outside as early as March. Just -prepare the soil well by removing any weeds and raking it.
Start weeding
In the spring, your garden will start to come alive and grow like wildfire. But unfortunately, the same goes for weeds.
The earlier you start tackling these unwanted garden residents, the better. Just use a garden fork and pull them out at the roots if you can.
Prune roses
If you have roses in your garden, then now is the time to prune them before the leaves emerge. Most roses are still dormant during this time, and pruning later in winter reduces the risk of pruning during a hard frost, which can damage the plant[1].
How you go about it will depend on the type of rose you have in your garden. The RHS has a helpful and detailed guide to pruning different rose varieties.
Improve your lawn
Remember last summer, when you promised yourself that this would be the year when you really improved your lawn? Imagine that dream lush green spread, with no patches. Well, now’s the time to make it a reality. After all, spring is a great time to repair lawns.
Simply re-seed any bare patches or use turf from another part of the lawn. If the whole lawn is patchy, you could re-seed or re-lay it all.
One easy way to improve it is don’t forget to mow your lawn once the weather starts warming up.
And if you don’t get around to fixing your lawn this spring, then have no fear, you’ll get another chance in the cooler Autumn months.
Beware frosts
Gardeners beware… frost can still catch you unawares even as winter seems to have loosened its icy grip.
This is especially true in April, when mild days seem to signify the start of summer. But frost can still catch you out in May too.
So to be on the safe side, keep any tender bedding and patio plants safely under cover in a greenhouse, rather than planting them out just yet. You may also need to protect delicate fruit blossom from frost.
Prepare your patio (and BBQ!)
Who knows, come April or May you could be lounging outside or even eating al fresco too.
So, plan ahead a little and prepare your outside space. If you have a patio, give it a good clean - use a pressure washer if you have one, or a hose and stiff broom if not.
Hopefully your garden furniture is still in good condition after a winter of inaction, but if it needs a clean, now is a good time. If it’s wooden, now’s a good time to treat it with oil or wood stain to keep it from getting damaged.
Finally, why not get your barbecue into proper working order in time for any fine spring grill opportunities?
You could go a step further and embark on a low-budget project to make the most of your patio and outside areas.
Have fun
Planting and growing your own can be really rewarding, but it’s not the only fun you can have in your garden.
From stargazing to creating your own obstacle course, we’ve got lots of suggestions of garden activities for those days when the sun is shining and you are in need of an excuse to be outdoors.
And let’s not forget the wildlife - even the smallest changes can make a big difference, boost biodiversity and help the environment.
For tips on how to stay happy and safe in your home, go to Solved.
[1] https://www.gardeningetc.com/advice/how-to-prune-roses
