Why Spring Preparation Sets the Tone for the Whole Year
The work you do in spring directly determines how well your garden performs through summer and into autumn. Getting the fundamentals right — soil health, early sowing, pruning at the right time, and pest prevention — creates the foundation for a thriving, productive garden. Use this checklist as your seasonal guide.
Early Spring Tasks (Late February – March)
Soil and Beds
- Apply mulch: Once the soil begins to warm, spread 5–8 cm of well-rotted compost or bark chips around established plants. This suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and feeds the soil as it breaks down.
- Weed early: Pull emerging weeds before they establish deep root systems or set seed. Annual weeds like chickweed and hairy bittercress are easy to remove now.
- Top-dress containers: Scrape away the top few centimetres of old compost from pots and replace with fresh, to replenish nutrients.
Pruning
- Cut back ornamental grasses: Trim dead growth to near ground level before new shoots emerge.
- Prune late-flowering shrubs: Shrubs that flower on new wood — buddleja, lavatera, caryopteris — can be cut back hard in late February or March.
- Deadhead winter pansies: Remove faded flowers to encourage continued blooming.
Mid-Spring Tasks (April)
Sowing and Planting
- Start half-hardy annuals indoors: Cosmos, zinnias, marigolds, and antirrhinums can be started in trays under glass or on a sunny windowsill from April.
- Direct sow hardy annuals: In mild areas, hardy annuals like cornflower, nigella, and California poppy can be sown directly into prepared soil.
- Plant summer bulbs: Dahlia tubers, gladioli corms, and begonia tubers can go in once the risk of hard frost has passed.
- Divide perennials: As clumps of perennials re-emerge, this is a good time to divide congested plants. Dig up, split into sections, and replant.
Lawn Care
- Begin mowing once grass starts growing — keep the blade high initially.
- Apply a spring lawn feed if desired.
- Repair bare patches by scarifying, raking, and overseeding.
Late Spring Tasks (May)
Planting Out
- Harden off tender plants: Move seedlings raised indoors outside during the day for one to two weeks before planting permanently.
- Plant out bedding: Once all frost risk has passed (usually after the last frost date for your area), tender bedding plants can go into borders and containers.
- Plant vegetable transplants: Tomatoes, courgettes, peppers, and basil can be planted out in late May in most temperate climates.
Pest and Disease Watch
- Check rose stems for aphid colonies and remove by hand or with a water jet.
- Apply slug and snail controls around vulnerable new growth — particularly hostas, delphiniums, and seedlings.
- Watch for vine weevil damage in containers and treat if necessary.
Flowering Highlights to Expect in Spring
| Month | Key Flowers in Bloom |
|---|---|
| Late February | Snowdrops, hellebores, early crocus |
| March | Daffodils, muscari, pulmonaria, forsythia |
| April | Tulips, forget-me-nots, wallflowers, cherry blossom |
| May | Alliums, aquilegias, geraniums, wisteria, early roses |
Don't Forget the Water
Spring often brings enough rainfall, but containers and newly planted specimens may still need supplementary watering, especially during dry, windy spells. Check the soil rather than relying on rain alone.
Summary
Spring gardening is about momentum — the more you do early, the less catch-up work you'll face in summer. Tackle tasks in the order they're needed and keep a simple garden journal to record what's working and what to try differently next year.