by A Morris

Created on: December 31, 2008

Preparing your garden in the UK can be done at almost any time of year, and is not limited to Spring. The only months to avoid are December to February when the ground will be hard and most plants are dormant. In terms of preparation, one needs to consider several factors; Soil quality, design, lawns, cleaning of patios and furniture and planting.

Starting with Autumn; This is the best time to prepare your soil for the following Spring. Thoroughly dig over your flower beds to ensure plenty of aeration and to allow better access to the soil when the weather gets colder. This process will also help with drainage for the rainy season, preventing water logging and stagnant pools. Check the quality of your soil, and bear in mind whether your future planting will be based around plants that need an acid or alkaline base. if your soil contains a lot of clay, you may want to consider adding some gravel or sand to help with future drainage and aeration. Digging in some compost or mulch will help to enrich the soil for the future months, and promote better plant growth and health. Autumn, Winter and Spring bulbs may be planted now, ready to pop up when the time is right. Placing some bonemeal in the soil before planting can help to promote stronger bulbs with a longer blooming period. Be sure to bury the bonemeal or you may have unwanted visitors such as dogs and foxes! Cover any delicate plants with a protective frost-proof covering, to ensure they make it through the cold winter months.

Take some time to scarify your lawn with a metal tined rake, removing any dead grass, and trim your lawn on a slightly higher mower setting to allow for the reduction in growth. Reduce or turn off any irrigation that will be unnecesary when the rains begin. Prune back any shrubs that have finished flowering, and make sure all your trees have been trimmed as you desire, as you should not do any further pruning until the Spring. Ensure that any planting you do now is suitable for the Autumn and Winter months. Any large plants that can be divided should be dealt with now, as it is the best time of year for this task. If you wish to clean your paving or garden furniture, make sure this is done before the weather gets too cold, to prevent damage and avoid patches of frozen water that you may slip on.

Once Spring arrives, you can begin planning for your new flower beds and vegetable gardens. Many vegetables and herbs can be started as early as March, so be prepared. Lawns can be reseeded once the frosts have gone, but be sure to protect your seeded areas from hungry birds and squirrels! Flower seeds can be sown as per the directions, and the dying leaves of bulb flowers can be tied up. Letting the leaves die back in their own time allows the natural nutrients to pass back into the bulb, as nourishment for the following flowering year. Lawns can be cut as soon as required, but start with a higher mower setting to prevent scalping the lawn. Use a fork or spiked roller to aerate the lawn, thereby preventing water-logging and flattening. If your lawn is very wet but you need access to the garden, lay down some planks to walk on to prevent further damage.

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