Spring is ideal for planting shrubs, perennials and seedlings. The warm soil encourages quick establishment and strong early growth.
Apply fertiliser to lawns, beds, shrubs and vegetables to support the surge of new spring growth and flowering.
Lightly prune winter-flowering shrubs and tidy perennials to encourage fresh, healthy growth. Remove any frost-damaged material.
Spring is the time to feed, mow and repair lawns. Rake, aerate and treat weeds early to encourage a thick, healthy lawn.
As temperatures rise, pests become more active. Check plants regularly and act early to prevent infestations from getting out of hand.
Water spring flowering shrubs: Water shrubs like azaleas and deutzias to ensure a good show.
Stake tall growing plants: Stake alstroemerias and other perennials that have a tendency to “fall over”.
Prune Shrubs: Many tender, sub-tropical shrubs and climbers like bougainvilleas and holmskoldias need to be pruned back in early spring as the weather warms.
Feed the whole garden: Apply a balanced fertiliser to lawns, shrubs, trees, and flower beds. Plants are actively growing and will benefit from regular feeding.
Sow seeds for the season ahead: Direct sow summer and autumn flowering seeds such as cosmos, marigolds, sunflowers and Californian poppies.
Plant vegetables and herbs: It’s a good time to plant out seed potatoes, seedlings of tomatoes, chillies, peppers, egg plants as well as the usual lettuces, cabbages, beetroot, spinach and Swiss chard. Sow seed of all the pumpkin family, dwarf beans, runner beans, maize and sweetcorn.
Roses: Fertilise with a balanced rose food. 8:1:5 or 5:1:5 formulations work best. Start with regular preventative spraying against fungal diseases at two-weekly intervals.
Care for your lawn: Feed, water, and mow regularly to encourage a thick, green lawn. Treat weeds early before they spread.
Water consistently: As temperatures rise, increase watering to support new growth, especially for newly planted items.
Watch for pests and diseases: With new growth comes increased pest activity. Check plants regularly and deal with problems early.
Aphids and whitefly: These sap-sucking insects rapidly colonise fresh new growth, weakening plants and spreading disease if not controlled early.
Caterpillars: As plants flush with new leaves, caterpillars begin feeding actively. Inspect plants regularly and treat before damage becomes severe.
Red spider mites: Warmer, drier conditions can trigger outbreaks, causing speckled, dusty-looking leaves and stressed plants.
Thrips: Tiny insects that damage flowers and new growth, causing silvery streaks and distorted blooms.
Snails and slugs: With increased watering and spring growth, these pests feed on tender seedlings and soft new leaves, often overnight.
Fungal diseases (powdery mildew and leaf spot): Fluctuating temperatures and spring moisture can encourage fungal issues. Ensure good airflow and avoid wetting foliage late in the day.
Weeds: Rapid spring growth means weeds can quickly take over beds and compete for nutrients and water. Remove them early before they establish.
Lawn weeds and lawn pests: As lawns become active, weeds and early pest activity can establish quickly. Early treatment helps maintain a thick, healthy lawn.
Nutrient deficiencies: As plants enter active growth, they require more nutrients; yellowing leaves or poor performance may indicate the need for feeding.
