Preparing your garden for spring
The colder weather is here, and our gardens are much quieter, but there are still lots of ways to stay busy in the garden.
Now is the time to start thinking about new blooms and new plans for next year.
Your November gardening checklist
If you want to get your garden ready for the months ahead, here are a few things that you can do right now.
Clear up fallen leaves
- Leaves can block the sunlight getting to the grass. By raking leaves, you can help the grass grow.
Clean and store your tools
- This stops any diseases, fungi or pests destroying next year’s plants.
Clean out and wash your greenhouse
- Removing moss means your plants will have more light. This also stops disease or pests.
Tidy flower beds and borders
- This doesn’t just make them look nicer, it can stop weed seeds from growing next year.
Organise your bulbs and seeds
- You’ll need to decide what you want to grow first, so that you make sure to plant things at the right time.
Plan any big projects
- Want to start growing your own fruit and veg or make a new flower display? The earlier you plan, the better.
Why do I need to plant spring bulbs so early?
Some spring bulbs, like tulips and daffodils, need several months of cold temperatures to grow properly.
The cold temperature helps wake them up from being dormant (this just means that they’re sleeping). They can be planted anytime in the autumn, until the ground starts to freeze.
Then all you have to do is sit back, relax, and wait for the colourful show in spring!
Get to know your spring bulbs
Spring bulbs don’t look like much now but, they’ll transform into beautiful blooms when spring arrives. Let’s meet a few of the most popular ones...
1. Snowdrops
Bloom: February-March
Where to plant them: Shaded areas, under trees work best
Quick tip: Add compost to the soil to help them grow
2. Daffodils
Bloom: February-March
Where to plant them: Daffodils like sunny spots with well-drained soil
Quick tip: Plant the bulbs twice as deep as the bulb is tall
3. Hyacinths
Bloom: February-March
Where to plant them: Hyacinths should be planted deeper to support the heavy flowers
Quick tip: Wear gloves if you’re touching the flowers as their oil can irritate some people’s skin
4. Tulips
Bloom: March-June
Where to plant them: In borders or in pots and choose somewhere that gets lots of sun
Quick tip: Make sure rain or water can drain away easily, tulips don’t like wet soil