Spring is approaching, the days are starting to get longer again and, despite it still being cold, it’s good to start preparing your garden for the warmer and sunnier days.
It’s time to begin pulling those weeds and pruning those rose bushes! This handy guide will teach you all the tips and tricks you need to know to create a garden that Alan Titchmarsh would be proud of.
The benefits of having a nice, clean and tidy garden.
‘To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.’ Once said well-known British actress, Audrey Hepburn.
A garden is the part of the home where you go to reflect, take in a deep breath of fresh air and pause for a moment.
Whether you have children or pets and want to make sure the garden is a nice, safe place for them to run and play, or you simply want somewhere to nurture and grow yourself, having a tidy and pleasant garden will make the area enjoyable for all that enter it. Keeping a garden clutter free and tending to it regularly makes upkeep much easier and minimises the risk of it becoming an eyesore for both you and your neighbours.
By creating space in your garden, you can also use the area for outdoor activities such as daily exercises like yoga or, depending on your garden size, family sporting activities like cricket, football or rounders.
Whatever outdoor activities you like to revel in, even if you’d rather just enjoy a cup of tea with a book out in the sunshine, being outdoors is good for you. A bit of open air has been proven to increase your creativity levels, boosts your immune system and help to restore your focus. Who knew that natural light could be so good?
5 ways to prepare your garden for the year ahead.
- Get inspired.
Gardening magazines, blogs and tv channels are all great sources of inspiration when planning out your garden. If you’ve never mapped out a garden before it can be a daunting challenge at first. But don’t be afraid to get creative, try new things and choose what suits you and your lifestyle!
- Remove any debris!
Decluttering your garden of any overgrown leaves, bushes and nettles can create a neater border for you to work with when planting new additions. Sweep away any dirt or rubble that could be obstructing pathways and keep them tidy to avoid any unwanted weeds growing in between paving stones. Be considerate of any wildlife that may have burrowed its way into your garden to hibernate over the winter and avoid disturbing any nests. Remember to put any garden waste products in your brown bin.
- Create a planting calendar.
To be extra organised and know when to expect your seeds to bloom, note down the date that you planted them along with their anticipated maturity date in a planting calendar. If you’re growing herbs, fruits or vegetables, you will know exactly when to expect them. This way, you won’t be digging them up too early or too late!
- Start your plants off indoors.
To give your plants a better chance of growing more efficiently, pot your plants and give them space to grow indoors. This is particularly useful if you are expecting a dull, drizzly summer – unfortunately the weather isn’t always on our side here in the UK. Easy seeds to grow indoors include cauliflower, tomato, pepper and broccoli.
- Sharpen your tools!
Having blunt, rusty tools makes the job ten times harder. By maintaining your tools and not leaving them out in all weathers to become damaged means that they will be good to use again next season and you won’t have to put your back into it as much! Keep your tools in a safe, dry space either in your shed or porch.