With Easter just around the corner, and the sun trying its best to shine, it’s time to start thinking about getting your garden ready for the summer months ahead. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a complete novice, there’s a whole host of jobs you can do over the long weekend to get your garden looking great again.
Getting out in the garden has the added benefit of being a fantastic physical activity, as well as being great for mental health and wellbeing – an all-round win!
1. Prune Trees and Shrubs
One of the first things you should think about doing, if you haven’t already done so, is pruning any trees or shrubs that have become overgrown over the winter months. The key is to remove any dead or diseased wood and to shape the plant so that it looks neat and tidy. If you’re not sure how to prune, check out our guide.
2. Tidy Up Flower Beds and Borders
Another important task is to tidy up any flower beds or borders you have in your garden. This might involve removing weeds, deadheading flowers, and edging the lawn. Doing this can make a big difference to the overall look of your garden, making it neater and more pleasing to look at. You’ll also clear the decks a little for the growing season ahead.
3. Start off Summer-flowering Bulbs
Although it’s now a little late for spring flowers, Easter is the perfect time to think about planting some summer bulbs – as long as you have a greenhouse, conservatory or other bright, frost-free place to get them started.
These will add glorious colour to your summer garden and many can be cut and used indoors, too. Planting from bulbs will save you a fortune compared with buying ready-grown plants in summer. Not sure what to grow? Try Dahlias, Gladioli, Lillies, Peonies for starters.
4. Clean Out the Greenhouse
If you have a greenhouse, now is a good time to give it a thorough clean. This will help to get rid of any pests or diseases that may have taken hold over the winter, and will ensure that your plants have the best possible chance of growing strong and healthy. It’s not a specialised job, but just needs some elbow grease! Get some hot soapy water and give all the windows and surfaces a good old clean, and then disinfect everything with a specialist greenhouse cleaner.
5. Prepare Your Vegetable Plot
If you’re planning on growing vegetables in your garden this year, now is the time to start preparing the soil. This may involve digging over the plot and removing any weeds, as well as adding compost or manure to enrich the soil. By doing this, you’ll create the perfect environment for your vegetables to grow, ensuring that you get a bumper crop in the months ahead.
6. Mow and Feed Your Lawn
The long weekend is a good opportunity to give your lawn its first cut of the year (as long as there have been a few dry days first!). Make sure to set your mower blades on the highest setting to avoid damaging the grass, and your mower.
It’s also important to remember to feed your lawn at this time of year. After the long winter months, your grass may be looking a little worse for wear, but applying a specialist lawn feed will revitalise it and give it a new lease of life.
7. Relax and Enjoy Your Outdoor Space!
As well as getting busy with garden jobs, the long weekend is the perfect time to start enjoying the garden again. Whether it’s an Easter Egg hunt for the little ones, sitting with a cup of coffee or glass of wine in the garden and listening to the birdsong, or breaking out the BBQ, make sure you make the most of your outdoor space.
Get gardening!
In conclusion, there are plenty of garden jobs you can do over the Easter weekend to get your garden looking great again. From pruning trees and shrubs to planting spring bulbs, these tasks will not only make your garden look better but will also provide you with a sense of satisfaction, knowing that you’ve made a positive difference to your outdoor space. So, grab your gardening gloves and get to work – your garden (and your soul!) will thank you for it.
The Genesis Gardens team are based in North Wales and available to assist with any aspect of your garden. We provide one-off visits as well as a regular service. Don’t forget we also specialise in sustainable garden design and landscaping. Get in touch for a chat.