Early spring (September and October) is here! There is nothing more attractive and aesthetically pleasing than a spring garden bursting with blooms and attracting pollinators. Springtime also means you have a lot of gardening tasks to get started on like pruning, planting, and fertilising, if you want to see your garden through the summer.
In this blog, we’re going to give you some essential tips for garden maintenance in the springtime as well as lawn care. If you are interested in planting, we also encourage you to plant vegetables and blooms for a lovely gardening experience in Western Sydney.
10 Must-Read Tips for Your Garden and Lawn for Spring 2024
If you do regular garden maintenance you should know your spring drill by now!
1. Fertilise Your Garden and Lawn
Spring is the time to add fertilisers to your garden and lawn. Feed the plants, especially the trees, shrubs, roses, hibiscus, and gardenias. While there are plenty of organic fertilizers available like manure, compost, bone meal, seaweed, and fish emulsion to name a few, you can try chemical fertilizers to add nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil. Fertilisers aid the growth of plants and trees, giving them the nutritional boost they need during spring. Check with your local council for rules regarding fertilisers you can use and need to avoid.
2. Mulch
Once your garden has been freshly fertilised, you can add a layer of mulch. Mulch helps to prevent or slow down the growth of weeds. It also helps to conserve water and protects the soil from erosion. It also helps regulate soil temperature and provides food for earthworms which are Nature’s gifts to gardens. Just ask your lawn mowing services to leave behind the clippings. These make excellent mulch and could save you the trouble of buying mulch.
3. Trim The Hedges
If the hedges have grown too tall or too wide, spring is the perfect time to get the hedges back down to size. You can contact a professional to get this done as it can be a very time-consuming job. In spring, the hedge will bounce back from its little trim and recover faster. So if you need to prune back to the hardwood, now is the perfect time.
4. Prune Shrubs
In late spring, once shrubs have finished flowering, you can begin to prune them in preparation for summer. Pruning ensures that plants are stimulated to produce new growth from different parts. Pruning also encourages the growth of fruits and vegetables, giving the plant shape and allowing air to circulate which can help remove pests.
5. Plant Vegetables
Springtime is the time to sow vegetables that will ripen in summer. A garden filled with vibrant vegetables and fruits includes a delightful mix of tomatoes and juicy strawberries. Pumpkins and watermelons sit alongside zucchinis and dwarf beans. The crisp freshness of cucumbers and lettuce balances the unique flavors of beetroot, capsicum, and Jerusalem artichokes. Adding variety, sweet potatoes, and okra grow near radishes and spring onions, while eggplants, spinach, and squash thrive under the warm sun. Even the humble choko finds its place.
6. Plant Spring Blooms
Flowers predominate the spring aesthetic, so go ahead and plant them for a colourful experience. You could try Port wine magnolia (Michelia figo), Yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Brunfelsia latifolia), Boronias, Geraldton wax, Lilac, Mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius), Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), Common jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum), Bearded iris, Azaleas, Clivias, Sweet peas, Roses, Waratahs, Kangaroo paws, Bottlebrush or
Everlasting daisies. Try to plant native species for a hardier garden.
7. Grow Trees
You can also go ahead and plant saplings or small trees like Tamarillo, Pomegranate, Plumbago, Passionfruit, Pawpaw, Mulberry, Hibiscus, Frangipani, Citrus, Bougainvillea and Avocado. These trees not only produce beautiful flowers in season but also provide much-needed shade. In case you want a hardy garden, try incorporating a lot of local tree species that your local council approves of.
8. Re-pot The Indoor Plants
If you enjoy keeping plants around the house, spring is the perfect time to add fertilisers and re-pot indoor plants. You may also trim roots and prune them. If you want them to grow in size, you may also re-pot them into larger containers.
9. Prepare For Summer
In late spring it is time to prepare for summer. It’s time to adjust the irrigation timers and ensure all lines are functioning properly. Plant new shrubs and trees promptly to give them time to establish before the heat sets in.
10. Give Your Tool Cupboard An Overhaul
Spring is the right time to check if your tool cupboard needs a bit of a cleaning out. You could have a look at the lawn mower, and the other tools that you keep and determine if they’re ready to go for the summer or not.
Bonus Tip: Lawn Care for Spring
Install new lawns or repair patchy areas in spring, and mow weekly to promote a dense, even growth. Reach out to our lawn trimming services to prepare your lawn.
Wrapping Up
Spring is the ideal season to give your garden and lawn the care they need to thrive through the warmer months. From fertilising and pruning to planting vegetables and flowers, these 10 tips will help you create a lush and beautiful outdoor space. And if you need expert help, Pro Gardeners is here to assist with all your lawn and garden needs. Reach out to us for gardening services. Happy gardening!