Essential plant care and garden maintenance for spring

What to do in the garden this spring

Spring is a busy time in the garden as everything bursts into life, so keeping on top of general maintenance now will ensure your plants thrive for the seasons ahead.

Our clients regularly ask us for advice on caring for their new gardens, and we also put together maintenance plans to follow throughout the year, with specific details of when to deadhead, how much to water and more. The following advice is universal for most gardens, so we hope it will inspire you to get out and enjoy all the mind and body benefits of tending to your own garden.

1.    Tidy up flower beds and borders

Inspect your plants, remove any winter damage, clear any debris and tidy edges to achieve a well-maintained garden look.  

2.    Pruning

Removing dead, diseased, or excess portions of a plant to encourage new growth is an essential part of plant maintenance – not just for beauty purposes, but for the health of the plant too. Spring is not a good time to prune certain plants that are already in bud such as rhododendrons, so check if you are unsure so you don’t remove all your summer flowers by mistake.

3.    Keep weeds under control

Weeds can be pesky at any time of the year – but getting them under control in spring can save you a lot of time and effort during the coming months to prevent new budding plants from choking. Pluck them out – roots and all - before they have a chance to flower.

4.    Sow hardy annuals, herbs and wildflower seeds

Once the frosts are over you can sow seeds outdoors for beetroot, carrots, Swiss chard, summer cauliflower, kohlrabi, lettuce, leeks, radish, turnip, spring and pickling onions, peas and perpetual spinach in well-prepared soil.

5.    Offer support

Put supports in place for vegetables, peonies and other perennials before they get too big. Support pea plants with sticks, twigs, green support mesh, or wire netting, to avoid them getting damaged in blustery spring winds.

6.    Tend to your shrubs

Now is the perfect time to plant new trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Remember to cut back spring flowering shrubs after they have bloomed, then give them a dose of fertilizer.

7.    Repairs and seeding for lawn

April and May are great months to increase your lawn care efforts. Mow as required, starting with the blades set quite high, and gradually reduce the height as spring goes on. You can scatter lawn dressing and seeds to repair damaged patches.

8.    Watering

Although watering is important and unique to each plant, before the hot summer months try to save as much water as you can. During spring, use mulch, compost and other alternatives that offer moisture to make sure your garden stays hydrated. You can always check moisture in the soil with your finger at 2.5cm deep. If the soil is dry, it’s time for watering!

Get more help

The Royal Horticulture Society (RHS) has a brilliant website full of advice about plant care and maintenance and will most likely answer any specific questions you have about your garden.