Spring Cleaning The Garden

Depending on where you live you might want to give your garden a proper spring clean between February and March. Once the main frost season is over it's time to whip your garden back into shape by taking these four, very easy steps.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the main reasons to start with this step is that it is the most rewarding. You will see an instant improvement in your garden once you raked remaining leaves off your lawn and removed the weeds. In fact it is quite crucial to remove the weeds now since they have not yet started to grow vigorously due to the cold. I don't use herbicides or spot herbicide in my garden but instead prefer to take my time while weeding. Loosen the soil around the weed and carefully pull it out with as much root as possible. 

 

 

Plants that have already bloomed or suffered frost damage should best be pruned to encourage new growth. Remember to also cut down the dead parts of anything that lasts through winters. Remove old canes and leafs and make space for fresh spring growth. Don't be afraid to cut herbs, especially mint ruthlessly right down to the soil. They will thank you for it by growing healthy and vigorously as soon as spring hits.

To maintain the constant bloom of shrubs, perennials and annuals over the months ahead, remove spent flowers regularly. This procedure is funnily enough called "deadheading" and despite the brutal ring to it your plants will not die from it, they will produce more flowers simply because they have not created seeds when you cut the dead flowers which is the sole reason why plants create flowers. You are forcing them to restart the cycle of creating flowers in hopes of developing seeds.

Lawn

Using a metal rake gently rake the lawn to remove built up and winter debris. It also helps lifting the grass for ideal  and efficient cutting. Keep in mind that bare patches attract weeds, so it is important to re-sow them now. Fork the soil to break it up, then firm and level it before sowing new grass seeds. Water regularly if the ground is dry and keep everyone off the areas that are being resown until the new grass is growing.