Gardening Tips

With Mother Nature about to literally “spring” back to life, here are a few gardening tips to help revive your gardens at home for the forthcoming season. 

It is time to give your grass its first cut of the season. Clear off any fallen leaves, raise up the height of the blades on your mower and try not to remove more than one third of the growth.

Start cutting back the old growth on perennials. Try to condition and improve your soil by adding as much organic material as possible.  It could be manure, compost, or leaf mould.

Clean decking, patios, and garden furniture of all that winter grime. A pressure washer makes light work of this task.

Freshen up your pots by adding some new compost and some colour. Primroses, polyanthus, pansies, grasses, and bulbs are readily available in all garden centres. 

Finally, put up some nesting boxes to give the birds a helping hand.  Remember, bird boxes should be put in the shade and bat boxes in the sun. 

Ian’s top tip: Your waste coffee grinds make a remarkably effective and eco-friendly slug and insect repellent, which will not harm your plants or the environment.

Happy gardening from Ian and the Shorefield Country Park Grounds Team.