Spring can be one of our busiest times for garden care in Cambridge. Here’s our team’s expert gardening advice for giving your garden a good nip and tuck…
Prune
Many shrubs will have dead, diseased or damaged growth after winter frosts and storms. Cut out deadwood and give them a haircut. Hydrangeas can be dead headed in March and April. Cut just above the first pair of fat buds with a pair of sharp secateurs. Hold off shaping late spring bloomers until after they flower.
Give your hydrangeas a dead head this spring
Weed
“It’s time to get those perennial weeds sorted – nice and early,” says Abbotswood gardener Cameron. “Use a spade to dig out pernicious weeds, and a hand fork for annuals. You can also hoe the surface of the soil between larger established plants.”
Feed
March is your last chance to mulch before the major flush of perennial growth – and before the summer sun dries out the soil. Mulches can retain moisture, lock in nutrients, and supress weeds.
“And don’t forget to feed your roses,” says Abbotswood gardener Abi. “Give them their first feed between March and early April, just before their leaves are fully open. Use a specialist rose feed, which contains the right balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.”
Give garden roses their first feed in April
Divide
As plant experts, we know how to bring out the best in your garden plants. At this time of year, herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses can start to look congested so it’s a good idea to split them.
“Perennials that flower after mid-June are best divided in spring (March-May),” says Abbotswood gardener Robbie. “Lift gently with a fork and divide using a spade. Make sure each section has roots, and replant so the crown is level with the soil surface.”
Prepare
Start the gardening season off as you mean to go on with some garden care essentials. Varnish furniture, repaint gates and fences, and sharpen tools to get prepared.
“While no one is a fan of tidying, early spring is a great time to be organising your greenhouse,” says Abbotswood gardener Kieron. “Wipe down surfaces with diluted detergent and warm water, and brush benches. A clean greenhouse, free from pests and diseases, is the perfect place to start sowing your summer seeds.”
Pond dip
Your pond will need some care after winter. Remove dead leaves and pile them at the edge of the pond so insects can escape. Turn on pumps to check the water is circulating. We like to add oxygenating plants to garden ponds such as hornwort, water violet and crowfoot. This helps control algae and provide habitats for water life.
Clear ponds of debris so wildlife can flourish
Mow
As grass starts to grow, March and April are good months to start edging your lawn, and mowing. Always have a good mower with sharp blades and at the appropriate height. It should be on its highest setting in spring, then an inch and a quarter to an inch and half onwards. Close mowing might look good, but it can weaken the grass.
You can also seed a lawn in April or May when the ground temperature is at its optimum. Dwarf grass can start at 5C, but most germinates at around 15C.
Compost
As plants and people start to get more active, so do worms. This is a great time to build a compost heap. Add ‘greens’ such as spent foliage and kitchen scraps, and ‘browns’ such as torn cardboard and twigs. Within a year, you can use the crumbly compost as a nutritious soil conditioner.