The snow has long melted, the buds are beginning to break and the brown slushy mess called a garden lawn is slowly turning into fresh, green grass. Mid-spring is the perfect time to prepare your garden for the summer season ahead but giving it a little spring clean. Getting your garden ready now will really pay off come summer.
Follow the tips below to ensure you are ready for the season ahead.
Have a walk around your garden and tidy up. The dry, grey stalks and stems of last years’ perennials such as purple coneflower and sedum no doubt look a shadow of their former self. Grab you garden shears and cut them to the ground to make way for the fresh growth appearing from the crown of the roots.
If you have got this far, well done, because no doubt you would had to find your way through the forest of un-cut grass which has been layering itself on your lawn all winter. There is a quick and easy way of trimming your grass using a petrol brush cutter. Simply sweep the cutting head from left to right just above ground level to produce an arc of about 30-40 degrees. As the ground is cleared, move forward, sweeping up debris as you go. Keep aware of any glass structures or windows throughout, as stones and debris may be thrown up at any time which could cause damage or injury.
Next, feed your plants a spring tonic as this means more blossoms and healthier plants come summer. Compost is the best tonic for plants as its nutrients are released slowly, allowing a steady supply of food all season long. Be sure to spread a fine layer of compost across the top of your flower beds using a three-pronged cultivator or garden trowel, but never over the crowns of your perennials and shrubs.
Once you have trimmed, clipped and top dressed, give your garden the finishing touch but formulating a sharp, clean edge between the flower borders and lawn. Dig a shallow trough a few inches wide along the length of the garden using an edger, using a board to keep the edges straight. It’s the perfect way to smarten up a small garden.
Follow these tips to ensure your garden is ship, shape and shiny this summer!
