Spring is Calling: Time to Prepare Your Garden for an Abundant Season!
Although the skies are still grey and the rain seems relentless, there’s a definite hint of spring in the air—double-digit temperatures and the occasional glimpse of sunshine! Have you noticed the first signs of spring yet? If not, step outside and start planning for the season ahead.
Any experienced gardener knows that getting ready for spring is just as important as the planting itself. So, whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a budding gardener, here’s a guide to help you prep for the season ahead, including tips on sowing seeds and gathering essential tools.
Top Tips for sustainable gardening:
- Start Seeds Indoors: Give your plants a head start by sowing seeds indoors now. If growing your own food, choose what you like eating and try not to sow too many seeds at one time. Now is the time to sow varieties like sweet peas, calendula, chilies, aubergines, and tomatoes. Aim to start your tomato seeds 6–8 weeks before the last expected frost and transplant them outdoors about two weeks after the frost date. Clear those windowsills to ensure your seedlings get as much light as possible to thrive. Remember, it’s not the end of the world if your seedlings do not germinate! Try sowing again, it’s never too late! Browse our range of seeds available here
- Prepare Your Soil: Healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy garden. Enrich it with compost and other organic matter to ensure your plants have the nutrients they need. We recommend a coir-based, peat-free compost Try For Peat's Sake that can be mixed with your own homemade compost or other peat-free varieties. Don’t forget to add grit to your pots to improve drainage. If you’re looking to reduce weeds and deter slugs, consider topping your pots with Shell on Earth.
- Label Your Plants: Keep track of what you’ve planted with eco-friendly plant labels. Opt for sustainable materials like slate or wood to avoid plastic.
- If you are buying new seed trays opt for good quality ones that can be used year on year. Otherwise, for a more sustainable approach use used milk cartons and yogurt pots.
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Invest in Quality Tools: High-quality gardening tools not only last longer but also make the process more enjoyable. Look for tools that feel comfortable in your hands—size and weight matter! Visit our store to explore a range of tools designed to meet all your gardening needs.
Browse our range of gardening tools here:
- Niwaki Hori Hori: A versatile tool perfect for planting, transplanting, and weeding.
- Garden Scissors & Snips: Made in Japan, these are arguably the best tools for cutting back and tidying green stems.
- Secateurs: Essential for trimming and cutting back thicker stems
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Gardening Gloves: Protect your hands while you work.
- Invest in Beautiful Terracotta Pots: High-quality pots like the Bergs Pots (available online and in-store) are perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. These frost-proof durable pots come with a sealed saucer to prevent surface staining, making them both practical and attractive. Our Pot Brush can be used at any time of the year to clean out those pots before replanting.
- Plan Your Garden Layout: Take some time to plan where each plant will go. Consider the amount of sunlight different areas of your garden receive and the mature size of your plants. A well-thought-out garden layout can save you time and frustration later.
- Watering is Key: Water your plants deeply and consistently. Be sure to allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to avoid over-watering. Try the 1 or 2-pint watering cans from Haws, available in the shop.
- Mulch Your Soil: Collect leaves and store them in a shaded area for at least a year. Mulching helps retain moisture, reduce weeds, and regulate soil temperature, creating the ideal conditions for your plants. Use our hessian sacks for convenient collection.
How to create leaf mould: Gather leaves in Jute Composting Leaf Sacks and leave them in a suitable spot in your garden to break down into leaf mould. Place the sacks in a sheltered area where they’ll receive rain to aid decomposition. By next autumn, or preferably longer, you’ll have nutrient-rich leaf mould ready to use, and the sack will have decomposed as well!
Enjoy the Process!: Gardening can be really rewarding and connects us to nature.
Whether you're growing your own fruit and vegetables, pollen and nectar-rich flowers, or just enjoying the calmness of your outdoor space, take time to embrace every step of the journey.
Ready to Get Started?
By following these helpful tips, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and bountiful spring growing season. But, remember not to be too disheartened if things don't quite work out well.
“A gardener learns more in the mistakes than in the successes.”
– Barbara Dodge Borland
And if you don’t have a garden space to work with, don’t worry - we have plenty of beautiful houseplants in-store to brighten up your home.
Happy gardening! 🌱🌸