How to Get Your English Garden Ready for Spring
As winter starts to fade and the first signs of spring appear, it’s time to get your English garden back in shape. An English garden, famous for its natural beauty and charm, needs a bit of care to ensure it flourishes throughout the season. Follow these simple steps to get everything ready in time for spring!
1. Tidy Up the Garden
The first thing to do is clear away any mess left over from winter. Sweep up dead leaves, trim away broken branches and get rid of any debris. Not only does this make your garden look better, but it also stops pests and diseases from spreading.
2. Give Your Plants a Trim
Cutting back plants is important for keeping them healthy. Prune shrubs, roses and perennials to help new growth come through. Remove any dead or damaged branches and give your plants some space for air to circulate. Be careful with spring-flowering plants – wait until they’ve finished blooming before trimming them.
3. Improve Your Soil
After winter, soil can get compacted and tired. Use a garden fork to loosen it up and mix in some compost or well-rotted manure. This will help create a good foundation for healthy plants and strong growth.
4. Plan Your Planting
Spring is the perfect time to think about what you want to plant. Add a mix of flowers, bulbs and perennials to keep your garden colourful all season. Traditional English garden favourites include delphiniums, foxgloves, lavender, and peonies. If you’ve grown seedlings indoors, start getting them used to outdoor conditions before planting them.
5. Look After Your Lawn
A lush green lawn is a key feature of an English garden. Rake away any dead grass, aerate the soil to help drainage and reseed any bare patches. A feed with an organic fertiliser will give it a great start for the growing season.
6. Fix Up Garden Features
Take a look at garden structures like fences, trellises and paths to see if they need any repairs. Repaint or treat wooden structures and make sure climbing plants (like roses and clematis) have proper support.
7. Feed and Mulch Your Plants
Early spring is the best time to give your plants some extra nutrients. Use a suitable fertiliser for different plant types. Adding a layer of mulch to flower beds helps keep moisture in, stops weeds growing and keeps the soil temperature stable.
8. Welcome Wildlife
An English garden is even better when birds, bees and butterflies are around. Put up bird feeders, provide a water source and plant flowers rich in nectar to attract pollinators. Native plants and hedges also give shelter to small creatures.
9. Tackle Weeds and Pests Early
It is easier to stop weeds and pests before they get out of hand. Check your plants for signs of problems like slugs or aphids and use organic pest control methods. Mulching and companion planting are great ways to keep weeds at bay naturally.
10. Enjoy Your Garden
Spring gardening is a rewarding process, so take time to enjoy it. Watch for the little changes of buds opening, new shoots appearing and birds returning. With a little effort, your English garden will soon be bursting with colour and life.
By following these easy steps, you’ll create a beautiful English garden that is full of charm and ready to enjoy all spring and beyond.