Emily Smith
If you want to sort the garden out but don't know where to start, don't worry we've got you covered. After the strong winds and wet weather winter brings it can feel like a real challenge bringing your garden back to life, but these tips will get your space spring-ready in no time.
Knowing the best way to sort your garden out can help you not only transform your garden on a budget make sure you can enjoy your space just in time for spring weather.
To make it more manageable, our gardening experts share their essential steps, that you can tackle one by one. You'll soon have a beautiful space that's ready to show off your best plants and the latest garden trends.
7 key steps to sort your garden out this spring
These expert tips will help you prepare and extend your outdoor living space in time for hosting summer BBQs and throwing garden parties.
1. Clear away debris
A wheelbarrow will come in handy for this task
First, clear out any waste and debris, such as broken branches or pots, leaf litter, and dead plants.
Joshua Clarke, founder of Clear it Waste, advises checking whether your local council charges a fee for garden waste collection. "If a lot of garden waste will be disposed of in a short space of time, it may be worth hiring a garden skip or paying a nearby reputable waste collection company to get rid of it on your behalf," he says.
Alternatively, you may be able to reuse and recycle some of your garden waste, Joshua points out. His examples include making your own compost, using pruned branches to create woodchip mulch, and finding a use for logs. "This can not only save you money but can also benefit the environment," he says. It's ideal for a more sustainable garden.
RRP: £24.48 | This model's head has 20 oil-treated tines for extra strength, making it ideal for removing grass clippings, dead grass, moss, or leaves.
RRP: £9.62 | Use this large compost bin for leaves or other kinds of larger garden waste. With a secure locking lid and waterproof finish, no mice or other pests will be able to get in.
RRP: £9.99 | This high-quality brush will make quick work of various garden tasks including cleaning away garden debris. With a support bracket and a thick wooden handle, sweeping will feel that much easier.
Joshua Clarke grew up in Hackney, East London. In 2010, he set up his own business; Clear It Waste. Since then, he has taken the company from success to success, from hiring and expanding the team to obtaining some truly illustrious clients such as London Fashion Week and the BBC.
2. Revive your lawn
Fill in bare patches with grass seed
Miranda Barrett of Wilkinson Sword says, “Following the recent wet weather and cold temperatures, many UK homeowners are facing dead, bare, or brown patches of lawn." Spring presents the perfect opportunity to revive outdoor spaces by planting grass seed or overseeding lawn areas, she says.
In terms of when to first mow your grass after winter, Dobbies’ horticultural director Marcus Eyles recommends keeping an eye on the weather. Wait until frosts have passed and you can see grass growing, and ensure the blades are on their highest setting to avoid scalping the lawn.
Nick Ee of Black+Decker says, "If you are looking to encourage wildlife, keep a section of the grass unkept – the longer grass will provide food and shelter for some animals."
Marcus joined Dobbies over six years ago, directing the horticultural team across the UK and spearheading the project that won the RHS Sustainable Garden Product of the Year Award at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022. He has over three decades of experience in the horticulture industry and a passion for spending time in the garden year-round.
Nick has over 10 years of experience working in the home improvement industry. Before his employment at Black+Decker, Nick was self-employed running his own van of tools and through that has gained a wealth of real-world experience in the residential construction and gardening industry.
3. Refresh garden borders
Plan for a stunning summertime display
Whether you love a cottage garden style or the quiet luxury garden trend, spring is a good time to update your flowerbeds. There are plenty of pretty options to plant in March and beyond.
Prepare your soil, first, recommends Tim Marshall, head gardener at Raby Castle. This will promote healthy plant growth and nutrient uptake. He suggests testing the pH and fertility levels and amending it as needed. You can shop for pH soil testers from Amazon.
"Choose plants suited to the site's conditions, considering factors like light, soil type, and space availability," Tim adds.
Alice Button of Golden Valley Plants says, "Plan for a continuous display of colour by selecting plants that flower at different times throughout the season. Aim for a balance of colours, shapes, and sizes. Group plants with similar needs together to create harmonious combinations." Why not consider the on-trend wildflower border trend?
Once you've finished planting, add a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds – a useful gardening tip.
Tim Marshall, Raby Castle’s head gardener, has had a career which spans nearly three decades and has taken him all over the world. Now working across County Durham’s Raby Estates, Tim is leading the transformation of the walled garden and the grounds to the north of the castle in the project known as The Rising – working with other high-profile garden designers as well as his home team.
As the trials officer at Golden Valley Plants in rural Herefordshire, Alice evaluates and monitors exciting new varieties of plants, and specialises in biodiversity-rich front garden design in her spare time. With a background in sustainable development, Alice chose to pursue a career in horticulture following the tragic death of her daughter in 2017, having recognised the positive impact plants had on her well-being. Alice hopes to pass on her passion for plants and their restorative properties to the wider community.
4. Plant pretty pots
Pansies are perfect for spring containers
Refreshing your potted plants is an excellent budget garden idea that can be transformative with a relatively small effort required.
Marcus recommends refreshing your pots, hanging baskets and window boxes with early-season primroses, pansies and spring-flowering heathers. He suggests focusing on colour themes in concentrated groupings to make an impact.
Consider cleaning your terracotta pots, first. This will result in a smarter display and will reduce the risk of plant diseases and pests.
5. Clean the patio
Get your patio looking as good as new
Nick recommends using a pressure washer to give your patio a thorough clean.
"Be sure to experiment with the different nozzles available to find the right one for the surface you’re cleaning," he says. "Using the optimal nozzle and water pressure combination will help you get the job done more quickly."
Some would say patio slabs are one of the things you shouldn't pressure wash in your garden, no problem – you can clean patio slabs without a pressure washer by following a few simple steps.
Of course, if you have a wooden deck you can clean decking in the same manner to spruce up your garden in no time.
6. Start on your weeding
Before you find yourself in summer wondering how to get rid of weeds when they've taken over your garden, start the process as soon as possible. Getting ahead of them is the best solution.
"Weeds thrive in the warming weather and can quickly take over your garden if you’re not careful. The key to keeping them under control is acting early," says Tom Clamp, head of technical at Doff Portland.
He advises removing weeds while they’re still small and easy to manage adding, “Hand-pull or hoe them before they establish deeper roots – it’ll save you time and effort later.”
If you're dealing with more stubborn weeds then he advises you to use a more targeted approach, he says, "Mulching with organic materials like bark or straw is a great way to suppress their growth while also benefiting your soil."
RRP: £14 | With its rust-resistant, stainless steel head, this tool is ideal for lifting out weeds with long roots. The handy leather cord means it can be hung up neatly afterwards.
RRP: £27.58 | This well-rated tool is lightweight with a soft-feel grip and a mirror-polished stainless steel head. A great option for tackling annual weeds in garden borders.
RRP: £12.64 | These Gold Leaf RHS collections Chelsea Ladies Comfortable Leather Gardening Gloves are perfect for any job you need to tackle in your garden, especially weeding.
Tom is head of technical at Doff Portland - a manufacturer of premium garden care products - which forms part of the Pelsis Group. With over a decade of experience in the horticultural industry, Tom has a strong background in biology, agronomy and product development. He ensures the highest standards in horticultural and pest control solutions, driving innovation and providing technical expertise to support professionals across the industry.
7. Tick off general maintenance tasks
Should you be an avid gardener, you'll no doubt own the essential tools every gardener needs and have pest solutions mastered. When it's time to start sorting your garden out, these small things might need a little TLC and refreshing.
"Before spring has sprung, take a moment for those maintenance tasks that you’ll thank yourself for later. Like checking your irrigation system, repairing or replacing anything that needs it. You could also sharpen your tools, restock your compost and other regularly used items," explains Andrew White, gardening expert at Rhino Greenhouses.
He adds, "These tasks may not be the things that ignite your joy and bring you the most pleasure in the garden. But getting them done now, in the colder months and before your focus and energy turns to tending seedlings, planting out, pruning and harvesting, means that you’re getting your gardening year off to a great start."
FAQs
How do I keep my garden looking nice?
Regular maintenance will sustain your garden's beauty and productivity over time, Tim notes. He recommends implementing a schedule for watering, fertilising, pruning and pest control.
Treating yourself to this pretty weekly planner from Papier will help you stay organised.
How can I sort out my garden furniture?
Ali Wooldridge, co-founder of luxury garden furniture company Gardenesque, says, "When sorting out your garden furniture, it's important to know how to care for it, and what not to treat it with, for optimal results."
She recommends starting by brushing off any debris, especially in rattan or woven furniture where it can get stuck in the grooves. Then, wash it down with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. If your wooden furniture no longer repels rainwater, you can use quality teak oil to help extend its lifespan, she adds.
Don't forget to clean your outdoor cushions, too, if needed.
Looking for more ways to update your outdoor space? Try out some of these outdoor living room ideas – there's something for everyone and every budget.
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