Transform Your Garden This Spring for Just £22!
As the sunnier weather returns, now is the perfect moment to revitalize your garden without breaking the bank. I recently gave my garden a fresh spring makeover for just £22, using budget-friendly finds from Shein and Home Bargains that saved me an impressive £70!
Gardening expert Sean Lade, founder of Easy Garden Irrigation, has shared invaluable advice on when to water your plants to ensure they thrive throughout the summer. According to Sean, “Spring is a crucial period for watering as temperatures begin to rise and plants awaken from their winter dormancy.” He emphasizes that the best times to water your plants are either early in the morning or late in the evening, as this reduces evaporation and allows plants ample time to absorb moisture.
In addition to watering, Sean provided insights on maintaining a lush green lawn. He recommends watering deeply but less frequently to encourage robust root growth—aiming for about 1 inch of water per week, depending on rainfall. Signs of overwatering include:
- Yellowing leaves
- Wilting despite wet soil
- Mould growth
Conversely, underwatering results in:
- Dry, crispy leaves
- Slow growth
- Soil pulling away from the edges of pots or beds
To maintain the ideal moisture balance, Sean advises checking the soil by either pushing a finger into it or using a moisture meter.
In collaboration with Protectivity, a provider of insurance for small businesses, Sean outlined essential gardening tasks to tackle this April. “April is an excellent time to start sowing hardy annuals like poppies, marigolds, and cornflowers for vibrant summer displays,” he says. For vegetable enthusiasts, he suggests sowing carrots, beetroot, spinach, and lettuce directly outdoors, while tender crops such as tomatoes and chillies should remain sheltered until the risk of frost has passed.
Before planting, Sean emphasizes the importance of preparing your soil. Mulching with compost or well-rotted manure not only locks in moisture but also significantly enhances plant health. “Feeding hungry plants like roses and fruit bushes with a balanced fertilizer will provide them with the essential nutrients required for thriving growth,” he adds.
However, one common mistake that could be undermining your gardening efforts is overwatering, as highlighted by Elise Harlock, brand manager at Prestige Flowers. She notes that overwatering is a frequent error that many gardeners make, especially during the spring and summer months. “It’s easy to assume your garden requires more water than it actually does, but overwatering is just as detrimental as neglecting to water your plants altogether,” she warns. “Overwatering suffocates the roots, leading to rot, disease, and weak plants that struggle to survive,” she elaborates.
Top 5 Spring Gardening Jobs
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Nick Grey, the inventor and CEO of Gtech, shares the essential tasks to focus on as spring arrives.
- 1. Clean Your Garden: Clear away leaves, soil, and plant debris from patios and flower beds to create a healthier environment for new growth, especially as summer approaches. Gtech’s Garden Safety Kit, which includes durable gardening gloves and safety glasses, is perfect for comfort while tackling outdoor tasks.
- 2. Weeding: Early spring is the ideal time to tackle weeds. Incorporating regular weeding into your routine will ensure a tidy garden throughout the year.
- 3. Hedge Maintenance: Spring is the perfect time to tidy overgrown hedges and shrubs. Regular trimming promotes healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Tools like the Gtech Lightweight Hedge Trimmer can help keep your greenery looking sharp and neat.
- 4. Composting: Starting a compost heap this spring is a proactive, cost-effective strategy to generate nutritious soil for your plants while recycling organic waste, benefiting the overall health of your garden.
- 5. Look After Your Lawn: Lawn care is crucial for maintaining a beautiful garden. Be sure to rake away any excess leaves and regularly trim your grass.