Spring has well and truly sprung, and with summer just
around the corner it's time to start thinking about getting your garden in
shape for the warmer months. But if you're new to gardening, or perhaps don't
know where to start, what should you do? Take a look:
Spring Clean
Just like your home, your garden needs a bit of a spring
clean to get it back to looking its best after the winter months. Rain and wind
take a lot out of the garden, and trees and bushes may well be overgrown thanks
to all that rain they've been showered in, so take the chance to trim bushes
and trees back, prune those plants and sweep up any fallen leaves. If you have
a young family it's a great way to get the kids involved - give them a child-sized broom and encourage them
to help sweep alongside you.
While you're in the mood for a little spring cleaning, make
sure all your tables and chairs are wiped down, ready for you to enjoy the sun
and eating outside again. Also give the windows a clean both inside and out, so
you can see your garden in all its glory.
Give it a New Look
Perhaps you have grand designs for your garden and you dream
of pretty rockeries, a vegetable patch and some pretty flower borders. Take
time to plan what you want from your garden and make it work for you. Sketch
out your garden and take some measurements so you know exactly where everything
will go and you'll always have the measurements should you need to work out the
amount of gravel you need or how long your garden bench (you'll find great
value garden benches from ASDA) needs to be to fit
exactly where you want it.
Planting
It's often rather confusing trying to work out what
you should plant and when. At this time of year you should consider
planting things like sunflowers, nasturtiums, poppies, cornflowers and Nigella.
These will all add a great burst of colour once they have grown. But if you
want that beautiful pop of colour in your garden immediately, pick up a few of
the seasonal plants available in garden centres right now and fill borders,
pots and hanging baskets with them.
In terms of vegetables you can sow beetroot, broccoli,
Brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrots, parsnips, peas, spinach, spring onions and
salad leaves right into the ground. Inside the greenhouse you can sow
sweetcorn, runner beans, courgettes, cucumber, kale and even melons. Add to
that an inside and outside herb garden and you'll have a fantastic crop of
fruit, vegetables and herbs that will last you all year round.
Like anything, if you plan exactly what you want to do in
your garden, whether that's planting new seeds or laying some decking, you'll
be able to create your perfect garden with just a little hard work. And won't
it be worth it when you're sitting outside watching the sun go down with a glass
of something chilled and bubbly in your hand.