Landscaper’s top tips for lockdown

WITH the great outdoors largely restricted to gardens and a quick jog through the park during the lockdown, many people are becoming more green-fingered as they take advantage of the spring sunshine.

One of the few positives of the Stay At Home orders is that it has given people a chance to carry out some odd jobs around, and outside, the house.

Brian McConnachie has been a landscape gardener for more than 20 years and has some top tips to help people improve their garden while the restrictions are in place.

The owner of Willowbank Landscapes says it is also the perfect time to introduce some new wildlife into green spaces.

His ten top tips are:

Make sure to cut the lawn regularly and also don’t forget to do edging.

Keep those pesky weeds under control – and make sure to get the roots out too.

With the dry spell it’s important to keep hydrated and that’s no different for plants and flowers – make sure they are given plenty of water.

Sow seeds for flowers such as sunflowers and for vegetables such as peas or leeks.

Tie in your climbing plants which include roses and clematis.

Prepare borders with new compost.

Once borders are ready, plant shrubs such as fatsia.

Paint fences and any sheds with a good wood preserver.

To introduce small birds to the garden, the best things to put on the bird feeder are peanut butter, mixed bird seed, mealworms and also supply plenty of clean water.

To help insects in the garden, flowering plants such as borage and clover are good sources of pollen.

Brian added: “There is a lot that people can do in their gardens during this time that will help when we can get back to work and make it all look a bit nicer.

“I have been a Dundee Trusted Trader for 13 years and in the business for more than 20.

“Whilst I can effectively work with social distancing and I’m still helping clients with things like weeding, I am unable to do bigger projects as I can’t get supplies and all of the recycling centres are still shut to the public.

“It is unfortunate but we have got to look on the bright side. There are others in a worse position than me.

“The main thing is everyone should enjoy their garden and keep safe.”

Brian says keen gardeners should prepare their borders.