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Spring brings renewed energy to gardens across the country, making it the ideal moment to roll up your sleeves and get outdoors. As spring approaches, Dobbies Garden Centres is shining a light on the key tasks that will help gardens thrive in the months ahead. Whether you’re discovering gardening for the first time or already know your way around the potting shed, Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton, shares his expert guidance on how to refresh outdoor spaces and lay the groundwork for a successful year of growing.
Nigel’s spring gardening checklist includes:
- Clean and prepare
- Water collection
- Planting and propagation
- Lawncare
- Grow your own
- Container planting
- Spring gardening must-haves
Clean and prepare
Nigel says that getting your garden ready for the growing season starts with a good clear out, and early spring is the perfect time to tackle the jobs that set everything else up for success. Nigel advises beginning with a general tidy, removing any lingering winter debris and clearing moss and algae from hard surfaces. Patios and paths can be freshened up with the help of a power washer or cleaning product such as Patio Magic, leaving outdoor spaces ready for the busiest time in the gardener’s calendar.
Attention can then turn to pruning, with spring marking the final window for a number of key plants. Nigel notes that now is the last chance to prune buddleia, lavender and roses before new growth begins. Autumn-fruiting raspberries should be cut back to ground level to encourage strong, healthy canes later in the year while soft fruit bushes benefit from being pruned into a goblet shape to improve air flow and cropping. Early spring is also the cut-off point for pruning top fruits like apple and pear trees, helping to maintain shape and support a productive harvest.
Beds and borders should also be refreshed at this time. Removing weeds and cutting back any tired winter growth helps make room for the season ahead, while a layer of mulch or organic compost can improve soil structure, retain moisture and give plants a nutrient boost. Nigel recommends mulching with Dobbies’ multi-purpose compost with John Innes – this is great for nutrients and also helps suppress weeds and protect plants from cold snaps. With frost still possible in early spring, Nigel suggests keeping an eye on the forecast and protecting more vulnerable plants with fleece if temperatures dip.
Water collection
Planning how to use water more efficiently is an important job to tick off in spring, before the warmer months place extra demand on the garden. Nigel explains that setting up rainwater harvesting now allows gardeners to take advantage of seasonal rainfall, helping to cut down on water use if summer turns hot and dry.
Water collection isn’t limited by space, and Nigel notes that almost any garden can get started. Sheds, greenhouses and even garages can all be used to harvest rainwater, provided they’re fitted with gutters and a downpipe that leads to ground level. By putting simple systems in place early, gardeners can build up a valuable supply of water ready for the peak growing season.
Collected rainwater is particularly beneficial for young plants as it’s naturally low in pH and free from the chemicals found in mains water. To help gardeners be more sustainable this season, Dobbies has expanded its range of great value water butts and rainwater collection products, making it easier than ever to find a solution that works for any outdoor space.
Planting and propagation
Spring may be best known for planting, but Nigel advises that success starts a step earlier with good soil preparation. Taking time to improve the soil before adding plants will pay off as the season progresses. Adding organic matter and fertiliser helps boost nutrients while clearing away weeds and debris gives new plants the best possible start.
Once beds are prepped, gardeners can begin introducing colour to their outdoor spaces. For instant impact, Nigel suggests choosing spring bedding plants such as pansies, primroses and violas, which can be mixed with potted bulbs to create bright, seasonal displays. Gardeners looking to plan ahead can also plant cottage garden plants, or herbaceous perennials, in spring, which will establish now and provide colour right through the season. Spring-flowering shrubs such as camellias, forsythias and magnolias can also be planted at this time, helping to add structure and shape to the garden. Alpine plants are another reliable option in early spring, offering early colour and resilience in cooler conditions.
Spring is also the ideal time to think ahead and start growing plants from seed. Nigel notes that propagating young plants early in the season gives them a head start before summer and can be a cost-effective way to fill the garden. Seeds can be sown in trays using seed compost and grown in a pop-up greenhouse, tunnel or even on a bright kitchen windowsill. Dobbies stocks a wide range of seed packs, making it easy for gardeners to plan their planting for the months ahead.
For summer interest, bulbs such as dahlias and begonias can be started off in pots indoors during early spring. Nigel recommends waiting until all risk of frost has passed before planting them out, helping ensure strong growth and a vibrant display later in the year.
Now is also a good time to think about climbing plants. Nigel recommends putting supports such as trellises in place early, before plants get established. Installing supports now helps guide new growth as it appears, and avoids disturbing roots later in the season.
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