The Essential Guide to Spring Gardening Tasks

Assessing the Aftermath of Winter

Before any planting begins, it’s crucial to take stock of your garden’s condition after winter. Inspect for damage caused by frost, wind, or heavy snow. Check for broken branches, heaved soil, compacted beds, or signs of disease. Take notes and photographs if needed—this will help you track recurring problems and plan more effectively. GARDENA Cleaning range helps you clean up dirty surfaces and the combisystem range offers tools that easily clear away debris and old mulch, making this first step efficient.

• Remove winter protection: Brush away mulch or coverings from perennials and beds as the risk of hard frost passes but be mindful of late cold snaps.
• Inspect structures: Examine fences, trellises, raised beds, and edging for wear. Repair or repaint wooden elements and tighten or replace fasteners.
• Survey hardscaping: Paths, patios, and steppingstones may have shifted. Realign, level, and clean these surfaces to prevent trip hazards and create a welcoming environment. 

Soil Preparation: The Foundation of Success

Healthy soil is the bedrock of any flourishing garden. Early spring is the time to revitalize your earth. Test your soil to analyse pH and nutrient levels, helping you make informed decisions on amendments.

• Test your soil: Purchase a basic soil test kit or consult local extension services. Understanding the pH and nutrient levels helps you correct deficiencies before planting.
• Amend and enrich: Mix in compost, well-rotted manure, leaf mold, or specialized amendments depending on your soil test results. GARDENA Natureline Spades and forks make mixing easy and efficient.
• Loosen compacted areas: Use the GARDENA Natureline Fork to gently aerate beds, breaking up clumps without disturbing beneficial microbes more than necessary. This large tool is built for this essential spring task.
• Mulch wisely: Using the NatureLine Spade, top up mulch around perennials and shrubs to suppress weeds and retain moisture but leave space around plant crowns to prevent rot. 
  Use GARDENA gloves to ensure even distribution of mulch throughout the beds.

Pruning and Cutting Back

Timely pruning invigorates growth and shapes your garden’s appearance. GARDENA’s range of secateurs provide precision and comfort for all pruning jobs.

• Trees and shrubs: Prune away dead, damaged, or diseased wood from trees and summer-flowering shrubs before new growth emerges. Don’t prune spring-flowering varieties yet, as you’ll remove flower buds.
• Perennials: Cut back dead foliage left from last year, being careful of new shoots. Divide and transplant overgrown perennial clumps if the soil is workable. GARDENA Planting Trowel is perfect for dividing and transplanting tasks.
• Roses: Remove any winter-damaged canes and prune to shape as soon as you see swelling buds. Feed with a balanced fertilizer to encourage strong blooms. Use GARDENA ExpertCut Secateur and GARDENA Rose Pruning Gloves for best results.

Planting: Seeding the Future

Spring is synonymous with sowing seeds, planting new arrivals, and rejuvenating old favorites. GARDENA Hand Trowel helps distribute seeds evenly and efficiently.

• Annuals and vegetables: Start hardy annuals and cool-season vegetables (like peas, lettuce, and spinach) as soon as the ground can be worked. Start tender seeds indoors according to your last frost date. 
• Perennials: Plant bare-root or container-grown perennials while temperatures are still mild, ensuring they get a strong start before summer heat. GARDENA Cultivating Tools simplify making holes in the soil for planting new perennials.
• Transplanting: Move shrubs or perennials now, taking care to disturb roots as little as possible. Water deeply after transplanting. The GARDENA range of sprinklers and sprayguns can be used for gentle and thorough watering.
• Bulbs and tubers: Plant summer-flowering bulbs, such as dahlias and lilies, as soil warms. Lift and divide overcrowded clumps for healthier blooms. GARDENA Bulb Planter makes bulb planting fast and accurate.

Weeding and Pest Management

Spring is the season to get ahead of weeds, pests, and diseases before they take hold. GARDENA Weed Puller is designed to help you remove weeds easily without bending or kneeling.

• Weed early, weed often: Remove weeds when they’re small and before they set seed. Hand-pull or use appropriate tools, being careful not to disturb developing seedlings.
• Monitor for pests: Inspect leaves and stems for signs of aphids, slugs, and overwintering insect eggs. Use barriers, hand-picking, or natural predators to control populations. GARDENA Pressure Sprayers are great for applying natural pest control solutions.
• Disease prevention: Clean up leftover debris and practice crop rotation in vegetable beds. Ensure good air circulation by not crowding plants.

Lawn Care: Greening Up

Spring is also prime time for rejuvenating your lawn. Choose a GARDENA Lawn Rake that best suits your application and garden type.  For convenient removal of leaves and debris quickly and easily, GARDENA is launching the new Pop-Up Waste Bags available in two sizes, 127lt and 220litre.

• Rake leaves and debris: Clear away winter’s leftovers to allow sunlight and air to reach the grass.
• Aerate and overseed: Repair bare patches with grass seed and aerate compacted soil for healthier turf. GARDENA Lawn Aerator makes aerating effortless.
• Feed sparingly: Apply a slow-release fertilizer if needed, but avoid overfeeding, which can cause weak growth.
• Mow with care: Begin mowing when the grass starts actively growing, keeping blades high to reduce stress. GARDENA Lawnmowers ensures efficient and precise cutting.

Watering and Irrigation

As temperatures rise, consistent watering becomes essential. GARDENA Hose Reels offer convenient and tidy storage for your watering hose.

• Check irrigation systems: Test drip lines, hoses, and sprinklers for leaks or clogs. Replace worn parts and adjust settings for even coverage. GARDENA AquaBloom drip irrigation system is perfect for automating irrigation in flowerbeds and vegetable patches.
• Water wisely: Water early in the day to minimize evaporation and fungal issues. Aim for deep, infrequent waterings to encourage strong root growth. GARDENA Sprinklers provide uniform coverage for large areas.
• Automated watering:  Best time to irrigate your garden is very early in the morning or late evenings. This task can be automated using the innovative range of GARDENA Water Controls that can be set for short or long periods daily, weekly or seasonally.  In the range of Water Controls is a Bluetooth Water Computer allowing you to schedule irrigation from the comfort of your couch.

Wildlife and Pollinators

Supporting biodiversity is good for your garden and the planet. GARDENA Insect Hotel provides habitat for beneficial bugs and pollinators.

• Plant native species: Choose plants that provide nectar, pollen, and shelter for bees, butterflies, and birds.
• Install birdhouses and feeders: Attract helpful insect-eaters and songbirds by providing food and nesting sites. GARDENA Bird Feeder is a great addition for wildlife enthusiasts.
• Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides: Use natural controls and encourage beneficial insects to keep pests in balance.