Spring Gardening Tips: Treat Your Garden to a Spring Clean

This is usually the time when we look at our gardens with renewed interest and, if you are anything like us, with a sense of anticipation of the year ahead tempered by a certain degree of alarm at the post-winter state of the garden.

Spring is one of the busiest times of the year in the garden as plant (and weed) growth accelerates. There are so many things that seem to need doing all at once that it can be hard to know where to start. Rather than feeling totally overwhelmed, use our spring gardening tips to get your garden back into shape so that you can enjoy it to the full.

Giving your garden a spring clean will literally transform it and will make you feel good (and organised!) into the bargain. Concentrate on one thing at a time so that you don't become overwhelmed...

Spring Gardening Tips: Revitalise Paths, Patios, Decks and Driveways

• Sweep up any remaining dead leaves and remove any litter that may have blown in from the street.
• Tackle weeds that have taken root in cracks and crevices.
• Use a power washer to remove green film from flags and pavers and get them looking as good as new. If you don't have a power washer use an ordinary hose pipe and a stiff brush.
• Rake over gravelled areas and pick up any bits of gravel that have found their way on to lawns and borders.
• Check over your decking to make sure that it has come throught the winter unscathed. Sweep up any debris and use soapy water and a brush to remove any algae.
• Clean patio furniture ready for the new season.
• Check over and clean barbeques and grills so they are ready for use.

Spring Gardening Tips: Sort Out Your Garden Shed

• Throw out any rubbish and dispose of old chemicals in accordance with the instructions.
• Check that your tools are clean and in good order and that secateurs, shears, pruning knives and saws are sharp.
• If, like us, you are inclined to be disorganised, invest in some hooks and racks to store tools safely.
• Have your lawn mower serviced and the blades sharpened.

Spring Gardening Tips: Clean Greenhouses and Cold Frames

• Clean panes of glass in greenhouses and cold frames to remove the winter grime and allow as much sunlight as possible to penetrate. Either use soapy water or a proprietary glass cleaner.
• Give your greenhouse a good tidy and a thorough clean to avoid the spread of pests and diseases.
• If the soil in the borders need replacing, do it now before the season gets underway.

Spring Gardening Tips: Check Fences, Trellises and Pergolas

• Check that they are in good order and make any necessary repairs or replacements.
• If they need repainting or staining, now is the time to do it before your climbers start to grow.

Need More Information?

Further seasonal gardening information can be found at summer gardening tips and fall gardening tips.