A Four Season Guide
When you have a garden and you want it to look beautiful in the spring and summer, you don’t wait until the spring and summer to make it happen.
You need to maintain a garden all year round, and, as any professional gardener will tell you, each season will have its own set of tasks to tick off your list to make sure your garden springs to life in the springtime- pun intended!
So, here’s a seasonal guide for gardeners old and new to keep your outdoor space looking its best all year round.
Spring
When spring arrives, you need to assess your space.
Look to remove dead leaves, debris, and fallen branches that have come down in the windy winter months. You can aim to loosen up the wet, compacted soil with a fork and add compost to the lawn to boost the nutrients. This will help when you plant your spring bulbs, like bluebells, snowdrops, and pansies.
Now is also the time to get out your tools, like your riding mowers, your trowels, and your strimmers, to make sure they survive the winter. Try to fit in any repairs or replacements in spring, and make sure you also buy plenty of compost!
Summer
The sun is high, and your garden is buzzing with bees. At this stage, prep is over, and you need to maintain the greenery and the beauty.
On hot days, water your plants early in the morning or late in the afternoon. This will reduce evaporation and prevent fungal infections in your plants. You will want to remove spent flowers from plants like buddleias, as this will encourage continuous blooming.
Be sure to keep an eye out for pests on plants, such as aphids or grubs, as these can cause havoc with your lawn. Aim to mow your lawn once a month but don’t cut it too short, as this will hinder growth and, during a heatwave, it can cause the soil to become scalded.
Autumn
Autumn is the time when your garden begins to wind down, and as such, it is the perfect time to plant spring-flowering bulbs like tulips. You can also add asters to your garden if you want seasonal color.
If you have been growing fruit or veg, now is the time to harvest them, before the first frost hits. Also, much like spring, aim to do a bit of tidying and make sure, if you have a greenhouse, that it is in good condition to help the plants inside cope with the upcoming winter.
Winter
Your garden seems dormant and grey but now is the time to protect and plan!
Use burlap to cover tender plants from colder temperatures, and make sure you have a shed or indoor space to move potted plants to if there are frosts.
Aim to do a bit of maintenance of tools and fences. If you are a fan of wildlife, now is the time to put out more food and water for birds who may be struggling with the colder season.
Also, now is the perfect time to reflect on your garden over the last year. What worked, what didn’t, and what plans do you have for the coming year?