John Lewis
READY, STEADY,
GROW Here’s our top tips for the season ahead…
Weed
Spring is a busy time for gardeners. Get it right now and you'll be all set for summer.
in spring, as you’ll be cutting off this season’s flowers.
Spring is the time where growth of weeds increases due to the warmer weather. Remove any weeds in borders paths and driveways before they become established. Weeds can be controlled without resorting to weed killers – manual hoeing, hand-pulling and flame guns are other options.
Plant
Cut Back
Feed
Most gardeners start cutting back from March onwards. Cut back dead stems on perennials right to the base to encourage new growth, avoiding removal of any new shoots. Get rid of any debris and replace mulch as necessary.
Prune
At this time of year plants surge into growth, meaning there’s plenty of pruning to be done. However, take care only to prune shrubs which flower in late summer and not those that flower
Inject colour into your garden with containers of spring flowering bulbs - daffodils, primroses & cowslips all work well. Now’s the time to plant shrubs, roses and fruit trees too. Just ensure the soil isn’t waterlogged or frosted.
Give your spring bulbs the best chance by removing the top 10cm of compost in the containers. Loosen the rest and then refill with fresh compost. Add a little slowrelease fertiliser to the compost to encourage healthy growth.
Trim
Give the lawn its first trim of the season. Avoid cutting when the grass is wet and raise the blades for the first couple of cuts. Rake
off any moss to help young growth and repair bare patches. Apply a proprietary spring lawn fertiliser when the soil is moist, or when rain is expected.
Renew
Give wooden garden furniture, sheds and fences a new lease of life with a coat of paint or varnish. Alternatively replace worn tables and chairs with one the latest garden furniture trends. It’s a great excuse to go shopping!
"Inject colour into your garden with containers of spring flowering bulbs" Clean
It’s the perfect time for a spring clean. Maintain your patio by getting rid of unwanted algae. Choose an organic treatment that won’t harm surrounding plants. Finally wipe off the BBQ and be prepared for when the sun finally makes an appearance. Jobs done. Make the most of your summer-ready garden. URBAN FOX MARCH 2020 37
