Time for some glorious gardening
NOW that the first phase of Covid 19 restrictions have been lifted allowing garden centres and hardware shops to open, this is the time to really get to work on your garden in time for some summer colour.
Plants are waking up, weeds need to be removed, the big winter clean-up has to be done, and all this has to be done before you can start planting this year’s garden. The urge to garden at this time of year is primal.
Re-connecting with the earth is affirming, renewing, promising. Waking up the garden to a new growing season is about more than soil and seedlings...this rite of spring is a tonic to the gardener as well.
Whether you’re a keen gardener or a complete novice, all gardens need a good tidy up after the winter months. Tackle any young weeds that are starting to appear as the weather gets warmer, and mulch with compost or manure – this preparation will pay dividends. It’s a back-breaking job that no-one wants to do, particularly when it’s cold and wet outside, so as the weather warms up, get outside and get scrubbing to clear paths or pavings of moss and lichen.
You’ll need: a good stiff brush and a bucket of salted boiling water. Tip: Salted water is an environmentally and pet friendly alternative to weed killer. If you didn’t get round to planting the shrubs and trees you wanted to during autumn, the ground should now be free from ground frosts (and therefore soft enough) for you to do so now. This is a great time to get plants, trees and shrubs fully established before winter comes around again. It’s time to dust off the mower and give the grass a regular mow, weed and feed. Ground frost can cause roots to lift out of the ground and it’s important to pack these back down again during spring to give your plants the best chance of survival.
Make leaf mould from fallen leaves by putting them in bin bags with a small amount of water. Tie the tops of the bags and poke a few small holes in the side before placing them in a secluded part of the garden – by next summer you should have some nice leaf mould.
Tip: Leaf mould is a great lawn conditioner and can be added to soil and pot plants to add nutrition and reduce the need for watering. Sow summer bedding plants like marigolds and busy lizzies indoors in early spring. These can be moved outdoors in early summer once the weather warms up and there’s little chance of frost damage.