by John Benson

Created on: July 07, 2008   Last Updated: July 09, 2008

Spring is the gardener's busiest time of the year. As the weather warms everything in your garden will begin to wake from its winter slumbers and demand your attention. As spring seems to begin earlier each year we are able to devote more of our time to preparing the garden ready for the horticultural explosions of summer. So as the gloom of winter wanes here is a list of top jobs to do in your garden during spring.

Begin anew:

Sowing your seeds should begin in earnest during the warmer months of March and April. If you have a greenhouse then it is possible to begin a little earlier, but for those without make sure you start early to ensure you have seedlings for the summer. Window ledges or cold-frames can also be employed for early sowings. Or, you can, like me, take out your seedlings each morning and bring them in at night!

Sowing your own seeds is a cheap and easy way to renew your garden each year, and means that you can successionally sow plants and crops for continuous colour and harvesting. It also allows a greater range of options than buying nursery grown specimens. You can choose from a greater range of species, and the resultant plants tend to be hardier and more suited to you growing conditions.

The other essential spring time job is to visit your garden centre. Take a break from the work and see what new things they have on offer, and anything you think might improve your garden. Even if you are raising your own seedlings getting a few shop bought specimens can add instant impact into your borders. The nursery and garden centre can also give you plenty of inspiration and new ideas to take home with you.

Renew the old:

Once your borders and vegetable patch have come through the wet of winter now is a good time to give them a bit of a dig over, weed and incorporate some organic matter into the soil. This will give them a much needed feed ready for all the spring and summer growing, and will help condition the soil for future planting. It is also an idea to give your borders and beds a mulch of some sort now too. Composted manure, garden compost, bark, almost any organic matter can be used as a feed and water retainer for the plants through spring. The only thing to remember is to ensure the soil is moist before mulching to trap in that much needed water.

Now is also the ideal time to focus on your prized specimens. You can prune your roses early in the spring, and get them ready for their summer display. Once you have pruned your roses give them a specialist

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