IN terms of getting outside and gardening – Easter Weekend is one of the big ones.
And it’s not just because our local garden centres and TV presenters are telling us so.
Nature’s playing a big part too.
Not only is it hinting at the joys to come as burst through – but the soil has warmed up, are incoming and thanks to the recent rain, everything’s looking rather lush.
Here’s my top five tips to make the most of the long weekend.
TIDY UP
You know what they say – a tidy outside is a tidy mind (sort of). So get out there and sort out your storage, wipe your glass panes, organise your shed, get your seed packets in order, clean and sharpen your tools – it will genuinely make you feel better mentally and more in shape for the season to come.
LAWN CARE
Now is the time to start your regime – you can scarify (get rid of all the detritus on top) with a rake, aerate by digging a fork in over and over – and then reseed the bare patches. Or cut turf to the size you want, You can also give it a good spring feed. And then depending on the weather, water water water your
If you do choose to seed a new lawn – I would suggest covering the newly laid with garden fleece.
Not only will it stop birds eating the seeds, it will keep the soil warm and prevent wind damage.
This in turn, will lead to a stronger, lusher lawn.
TEMU is currently selling various selections of garden fleece – starting at £3.65
SUMMER BULBS
If you can find space among all the late flowering daffodils, tulips and early alliums (why has nothing come out when it was supposed to in my garden this year?) then get in your summer bulbs. Dahlias, gladioli, lilies, peonies, agapanthus, and calla and canna lilies will all bring beautiful colours and scent to your outside space. What's more, apart from agapanthus, they’re all container-friendly.
YouGarden have a 50 per cent off sale at the moment on Summer Bulb packs.
SOW SEEDS
Plant sweetpeas, sunflowers, marigolds, poppies, nigella, hollyhocks and wildflowers in small pots or trays – and tomatoes and cucumbers under cover, then carrots, peas, beetroots, sweetcorn, runner beans, peas and microgreens straight into the soil.
PRUNING AND WEEDING
It’s good to know that when the weeds start coming through – it means the soil is ready to plant in. On the flipside – it means you need to start weeding. At this early stage hoeing is a good option – leaving the seedlings on top of the earth to dry out – and might reduce your workload later on. Also cut lavender plants back and divide grasses.
