Spring Garden tips blog from Waterways Garden Centre in the UK

Spring Garden tips

March 25, 2021

If you’re like me you’ll be eagerly waiting for the first signs of spring.

Spring garden tips on our new blog. At this time of year my mind drifts to thoughts of the garden, and what I want to achieve in 2021. Funny but this year I’ve been thinking a little more about the greenhouse and what vegetables I want to start growing over the summer. These pre-spring days are the ideal time to get your plans sorted and ready. Below I highlight some of the good and shall we say not so good things we need to think about as the time nears.

Home compost and weeding from Spring Garden tips blog

Refreshing the flowerbeds and borders is a staple

As we get closer to spring. Have a general tidy up, removing leaves and other debris from beds and borders. The organic debris you clear away can go straight into you compost, but would avoid adding weeds with seeds to that. We don’t want those popping up later in the summer. You can also cut back the old dead growth of deciduous grasses and herbaceous perennials now, although, if you’d like to be wildlife friendly, it’s best to leave these until early spring.

Soil turning time

Careful soil turning can be done, careful as in avoiding root damage on your existing plants. It’s a good idea to add a bit of compost while turning the soil; it adds nutrients and gives a real boost to existing and new plants in the months ahead. Winter is a great time to move any deciduous shrubs, as they’ll still be dormant. Move shrubs on a still day if possible to prevent the wind from drying out the roots, we don’t want that.

Seeds and bulbs

It’s a good time now to think about what bulbs you might like, I always love that burst of colour they give to brighten things up. Have a look at what’s on offer (might have to be online but some places are open) and if there are any new interesting variations available. A good supplier is always informed and available for advice and what’s in stock so don’t be afraid to call and ask.

Spring garden tips, Greenhouse cleaning, uk

The needed but not so good jobs of cleaning

For those with a greenhouse, now is a great time for the not so great task of cleaning it. Taking to cleaning the glass inside and out is one of the important spring garden tips, and not just for the amount of light to be let in.

Apart from the algae and the general grime that needs to be cleaned there are also overwintering pests and diseases hiding in those nooks and crannies.

Cleaning the glass inside and out with a mild disinfectant or detergent really helps in getting things fresh and ready and in getting rid of those hidden nasty’s.

If possible doing the same for any tables and stands that have sat inside over winter is also a good idea and gets things ready for the upcoming growing period.

Now for the fun jobs

Once the not so good job of cleaning is done :-). Then its time for the good jobs “What am I going to grow”. If you’re like me you probably have a pretty good idea already.

A good seeding compost is important to get a great start for the seeds. A plan on what to plant and when is also needed. This especially applies to vegetables that will be transplanted to the garden when ready. Speaking of which the vegetable patch should be ready (clearing and turning) for the seedlings. Getting it ready for the coming crop of home grown vegetables.

Yes, it’s a bit of work, but I for one find it a labor of love. I really feel proud of how the garden grows. I also really enjoy eating the vegetables that I have grown myself. Know how they have grown might make me a little biased but “Oh” they taste so much better……….

Take care everyone and I hope you enjoyed our spring garden tips blog and happy gardening for the coming year. This year I really feel we need the freedom of growing our own things.

More blogs will be coming very soon. Not just on gardening but also on the other areas of Waterways Garden Centre. Topics will include the Aquatic section, Reptiles and imports.