We are only a few short weeks away from the clocks going forward – spring is well and truly underway and after our previous post about getting your home in spring ship shape, it’s time to concentrate on your garden.

After months of neglect and frost-bitten nights, your garden will be looking forward to summer just as much as you are, so we’ve got a few ideas on how to get it ready to face the sun.

1) Clean up the garden

Through the winter months, it’s highly unlikely that your garden was used for anything more than an extra Christmas fridge… leaves will have fallen from the trees, twigs and branches will have been strewn across the lawn, and miscellaneous debris will be waiting to be thrown away.  Start by clearing these areas of the garden, disinfect your greenhouse or prepare your shed ready to house all the summer garden goodies.

2) Fertilise the grass

After a tidy up, you’ll be able to see the state of your garden much clearer – and the chances are, you’ll need to help get your lawn back to its bright green after months of darkness. Research the most suitable lawn food for your garden and the time of  year; good brands will also be able to offer advice on the best way to apply it. Always make sure you add the food to moist soil, or just before it’s about to rain for maximum results.

3) Get planning

Stay ahead by finding and planting your summer flowering bulbs and seeds now; certain selections of flowers will take longer to bloom or need a specific time of year. If you feel that areas of shrubs and plants aren’t working well, now is the time to move them around and re-plant anything new.

4) Keep pests at bay

Your new plants could soon be under attack by unwanted beasts, keep and eye out for slugs and snails that may have created a home in your garden over winter. Rather than turn to chemical products, there are affordable natural solutions to clearing the pests, one tip would be using crushed egg shells over the plant bed, slugs really don’t like them and will stay well clear! Lady birds should soon return too, they love eating plant-eating aphids.

5) Clean your tools

It’s easy to forget about all the equipment needed to help keep your garden in tip top condition. Make them last longer by keeping them clean and looked after when not in use, hard bristle brushes and the garden hose are a cheaper alternative to a quick-wash for mud and dirt build up on your spade and trowels. Once clean, rub oil in your tools to keep them from rusting, store in a cool dry place to avoid any unwanted weathering.