February 12th, 2020 by Chris Chapman

Although it might not feel like it with the weather outside, spring is just around the corner. Soon you’ll be nurturing your garden back to life, but to make sure you and your garden are ready, you should use these last winter months to prepare your garden for Spring.

Here are our top 10 tips to help you get a strong head start in getting your garden ready for spring.

1 - Order flower bulbs and seeds

Summer might feel even further away than spring, but to create a truly beautiful summer garden you want to plan out your flower choices in advance. Certain flowers need to be planted in early spring, and can be ordered in the winter. Use the time the weather keeps you indoors, rather than out in the garden, to decide on your summer flowers and order them.

2 - Feed your lawn

A lush green lawn is the highlight of any summer garden, but can be difficult to maintain in the hot weather. The trick to a healthy lawn all year round, is to feed it during the winter months. The Pro-Kleen Iron Sulphate for Greener Grass & Harder Turf is rich in iron, which is perfect for promoting a bright and healthy lawn all year long, while also helping to prevent lawn disease.

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3 - Tidy flower beds and borders

Removing leaves and debris from flower beds and borders, and taking them back to bare soil, is the perfect winter gardening activity. Not only does tidying up improve the look of your garden, but it also enables you to get up close with your plants so you can check for growth, disease and prune where necessary. You can also remove any weeds you see that may be flourishing in the harsh conditions.

4 -  Deep clean your greenhouse

A greenhouse in spring is a hive of activity, with seedlings and other plants beginning to germinate and grow. The winter, on the other hand, is a quiet time for a greenhouse making it the perfect time to have a deep clean. Take the time to wash out seed trays and pots to prevent the spread of disease to younger plants. You should also take the time to clean the outside of your greenhouse with disinfectant to remove moss and grime, as this will let in more light during the growing months.

5 - Remove garden pests

To save yourself a lot of trouble in the summer, take the time to hunt down and remove and hibernating garden pests now. Look out for slugs, snails and aphid colonies sheltering for the winter in the crowns of perennial plants. As well as white-vine-weevil larvae in compost and on plant roots.

6 - Spruce up your patio

Mould and algae flourish in the damp conditions of winter, especially on patios. Cleaning your patio throughout the winter means that it will look brand new in the spring and summer. The Pro-Kleen Simply Spray Patio Cleaner not only cleans your patio but also helps to prevent re-growth. Plus, it couldn’t be easier to use, simply spray and walk away.

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7 - Make the most out of the rainfall

Environmentally friendly gardening is a hot topic at the minute - a particular issue is the amount of water gardens can use up. One of the easiest, and most effective, changes to make is to install a water butt to collect the winter rainfall, and then use it on your garden and plants in the summer. Not only is this eco-friendly, but rainfall is actually the best type of water to promote healthy plants.

8 - Move any deciduous shrubs

Winter is the best time to move deciduous shrubs around your garden as they are dormant. For the best chance as a successful re-planting, try to choose a still and dry day so the wind doesn’t dry out the roots of the shrubs. Also, be sure to place the shrub at the same level in the soil it was previously, and water it well afterwards.

9 - Repair and maintain tools, fences and trellis

Winter is the ideal time to complete any garden maintenance jobs, as it will give you more time to care for your plants in the summer. Take the time to check fence panels, gates and trellis for any signs of weather damage, and repair and paint them if necessary. Don’t forget to also clean and sharpen your gardening tools during the winter, so they are ready for a lot of use in the summer.

10 - Create a composting area

If you don’t already have one, the winter is the perfect time to set up a designated composting area in your garden. Compost areas give you a place to put all of your organic waste to create rich compost your plants will thrive on. You could buy a ready-made compost bin, or build your own using spare wood.

As you can see, there are many winter gardening activities you can do to ensure your garden is fully prepped and ready for spring. For more gardening advice and inspiration, check out Pro-Kleen's garden range!