Early Spring Gardening Checklist

The sight of tender, new leaves gracing bared boned trees, roses and climbers and the first freesias, erlicheer, magnolias, bluebells, jasmine and first spring blossoms just lift the spirit, don't they? If you can't wait to get outside and enjoy the garden, there is plenty to do in between the bouts of rainy, stormy weather. 

If the soil's not too wet, there's no harm in having a bit of a stroll and drawing up your own ‘Spring Gardening Checklist' in anticipation of setting the garden to rights before the spring growth really kicks in. Here are some suggestions to get you underway:

1. Clear away winter debris, dead branches and old mulch etc especially if it is lying on the top of spring bulbs to enable them to push through.

2. Get on top of weeding 

Clear weeds before they really get the chance to become too established can save you so much time and work later on. Employing weed control methods like laying weed mat, bark, newspapers, spraying can significantly lighten your gardening load during the summer months so it's worth thinking about lower maintenance ways to keep the garden looking how you want it. Think about how much time and energy you are going to have over the next few months and take advantage of the rainy weekends to check out new ways of staying on top of things at your local garden shop.

3. Feed the soil

It's still pretty wet so if you manage to catch a fine day in the garden, now is an ideal time to dig in compost, sheep pellets and/or fertiliser. 

4. Check for pests and diseases plus general maintenance

Black spot on roses and geraniums, slugs, snails and mites are more easily managed if you deal to them as soon as they first appear. Sprays and baits work a charm. 

If you haven't already done so over the winter, repair, sharpen and oil tools and implements and sort out any lawn mower or hedge trimmer issues to the repair shop. 

Broken paths, dodgy stairs and steps, slippery concrete also need to be dealt to as soon as possible. Before the fine weather really kicks in is a good time to book in carpenters and workmen. There are quite a few ‘Wet & Forget' sprays to deal to slippery concrete now so shop around and talk to friends about what they are using. 

Get an arborist to trim any tree branches too close to the house or power lines. 

5. Wait for the soil to drain and the weather to warm up, before planting to give seedlings the best chance.

This is a very important part of the Spring Gardening Checklist as exposing tender new shoots to too much of the hurly-burly Spring weather can really knock their growth back. While you are waiting, plan what you want to grow in the herb, vege and flower gardens and raise seeds in sheltered, sunny areas. 

Buy your seedlings e.g tomato, vege and strawberry plants (2-3 per adult), but get plenty of slug and snail protection as well to ensure an abundant summer harvest.