Getting Ready For Spring
Chris Bonnett, of GardeningExpress gives us some helpful hints as we prepare the garden for winter and start thinking about planting for spring colour.
The hot autumn sunshine has been a rare treat, and made it all too easy to forget that the garden needs clearing before the cold weather sets in – and the beautiful autumn bulbs need planting.
Clearing the garden is certainly not on my list of favourite jobs, but once you get stuck in, you can see a difference quickly.
The first thing to tackle is the pruning and weeding. Weeds, not all but most, do have a tendency to seed so dig out as many as you can, hopefully reducing the amount of time you spend weeding next spring.
Prune the plants that need cutting back at this time of year. Autumn pruning is about taking out the dead wood and getting your shrubs into a size and shape you can work with once the winter is over.
Keep on top of clearing any leaves in the garden, and remember to compost them. This will tidy up your plot in an instant.
After last year’s early cold snap, do think about bringing any young plants in undercover before the first frosts and do protect plants that struggle with the cold.
Other jobs worth carrying out include laying lawn seed to fill in any bald patches and taking cuttings from your favourite shrubs and roses.
Once the garden is tidy, start planning your spring garden and thinking about where you want to plant your bulbs.
Bulbs need to be in before the frost and cold weather hits us, and after all the snow we had last November, now’s the time to get working.
Vibrant colours and lots of them are a must have in spring to bring a smile after winter and to mark the start of the new season.
The old favourites are always the best when it comes to bulbs. Beautiful golden daffodils, elegant alliums, tantilising tulips, and who can forget the early crocuses and snowdrops to prove spring and summer is really on its way.
Here’s my guide on what you should be including in your spring garden. All should be planted by early December.
Daffodils – a garden isn’t complete without clusters of daffs to welcome in spring. There are lots of varieties now available in the traditional size and dwarf and in contrasting colours. As for which variety to go for, well pick the ones you like! These hardy bulbs will comes back time and time again. A true spring beauty.
Tulips – whether you opt for red, yellow, purple, orange, pink or even black, there is no doubt tulips add a touch of style, class and elegance to the garden. Large flowers sit atop sturdy stems to create a stunning display. These too grow year after year. Certainly a must have and with so many to choose from, you could easily have a garden full!
Crocuses – these herald the start of spring and truly cheers up the garden. They flower profusely in whites, yellows, blues and purples with some solid colours and others two toned. The cupped flowers sit on short stems above grass like leaves.
Snowdrops – the very first flowers to peep their heads through the ground at the end of winter. The small, nodding, milky white flowers are a sight to behold. Remember, these multiply freely over time.
Alliums – these are a real favourite of mine adding height and structure to spring displays. Purple Sensation is a delight flowering from May onwards. Lilac purple pompom blooms sit atop metre tall stalks which soar up from a base of broad leaved foliage.
To find out more about the plants and to check those available visit www.GardeningExpress.co.uk
