Spring is here!
Spring is here, and whilst the winter has not seemed too wet or particularly cold this year (at least down here in the South) it is a joy that the days are getting longer, giving us more time to get out there and start doing things which will prepare the garden for the rest of the year.
Your lawn may well be looking a brighter shade of green and starting to grow, if so you can take advantage of dry weather to make the first cut of the year remembering to set the mower to its maximum height as just a light cut is all you are looking for at this stage.
Many vegetables and annual flowers can now be sown from seed if you have a greenhouse or windowsill area to make use of. Sweat peas, for example, always make for fantastic cut flowers so try sowing some from seed - if they do not grow well or you forget you can always cheat and buy some seedlings from the garden centre later in the year!
Cut back any remaining tender grasses and bamboo to ground level, before they start to grow, but after the last frosts.
Prune established deciduous shrubs which flower on the current seasons growth - includes: Buddleja, Fuchsia, Hibiscus, Hydrangea paniculata and Spirea. It is also the time to cut back dogwoods (Cornus) which are typically grown for their colourful winter stems as it is this years new growth which will be most striking next winter. Many people find pruning scary, however there are lots of guides online for example www.rhs.org/advice/beginners-guide/pruning-plants There you will also find advice about which of your clematis you should prune at this time.
It is the end of the optimal time for planting bare root roses, fruits and hedging plants so you may well find that you can pick up some really good offers from specialist growers who are keen to sell their stock - sign up to their newsletters on their webpages to ensure that you get to hear about these. Buy good healthy plants and for best results after planting out give the roses or shrubs an initial prune (remove any damaged, weak or crossing branches) - it may seem harsh to cut back a new plant, but it will really help shape the plant.
General Garden Maintenance
As it has been a little mild this year you may find that there are already weeds germinating. If you know the difference between them and any annual flowers which may grow from seed in your borders then it will pay to get out with the hoe, removing any more stubborn ones with a fork. If you are not sure wait a little longer until you can see more clearly from the leaf formation what they are.
It is then time to apply a thick (5-8cm) layer of mulch when the soil is moist, but not frozen. You can apply mulch to cover the entire root area of wood plants, perennials should have a lighter layer applied carefully if their shoots are already starting to emerge. There are various mulches available and if you have the space in your garden to set aside for producing your own compost then you will have a lifetime supply for free. Alternatively some local authorities sell compost produced from their garden waste collections, and there will be suppliers of various products in your area. If you have a local stables/farm you may be able to obtain supplies of well rotted manure. I always recommend making friends with a local tree surgeon as they may be willing to supply you with bark chippings which have many uses - fresh you can use them in the base of your greenhouse/to refresh pathways and if they can be left to compost for some months first you can make use of them as a mulch
There is plenty to do so it is time to get out there and stock up on some Vitamin D!