17-04-2025

There is something to be done in the garden every month or preparing for the season ahead at the very least. Whether you are sheltering indoors, or enjoying a nice 12 hours of daylight, your garden never sleeps.

Before you use any gardening tools, it’s important that you wear the correct PPE. Eye protection, safety boots and gloves are essential and we’d also recommend using ear defenders, and any PPE you do require can be purchased from Speedy.

 

January

While we aren’t encouraging you to spend hours in the rain revamping your garden in January, here are a few things you can do to ensure your garden will be ready from the minute you’re allowed to enjoy it.

1. Check over your tools

Pruning, trimming, and lawn care aren’t far away now. While they aren’t in use, check over your tools if you haven’t already.

Make a note of what needs repairing and replacing, such as secateurs. Check cables, power buttons, fuses, and fixings before giving them a quick power-up and packing them neatly away again.

If anything needs replacing, budget for it now, or even look for one while the prices are cheaper compared to the height of the gardening season.

Also consider hiring any tools you need, especially if your trusty rotavator, leaf blower, hedge trimmer, or chipper shredder is on the blink. That way, maintenance isn’t an issue.

 

2. Make repairs

Wind, rain, and even snow can cause damage to fences, gates, and other security features in your garden. Again, while you should check them every month (or after every bad storm) the Christmas period probably saw it take a backseat.

Check locks and hinges for any damage and use a combination drill to repair any screws required. A hammer can knock in any new fence panel pins or use a nail gun for extra power.

Also, check the wiring to security lights and cameras, and all wires are secured to a surface, so they don’t blow in the wind.

Look for anything else which may need repairing too. Raised beds don’t have to be a priority just yet, but if any wood looks worn, make a note to get some tools and materials to replace it.

 

3. Clear the garden

Go out into the garden and make a list of everything which needs clearing. Leaves in flower beds will be preventing the soil from breathing and new flowers from emerging, so remove dead leaves as soon as possible. The same applies to leaves and moss on paths, which can be a slip hazard.

SPEEDY TOP TIP: Dead leaves can be added to your compost heap, which will help with next year’s planting and potting!

Use a leaf blower to try and get them all into a pile and make it easier to collect them. If they’re too wet, manual sweeping with a yard brush could be needed.

 

February

The nights and mornings are getting lighter, and spending more time in the garden is almost possible. Now is the time to think ahead to summer, and how you want your garden to look.

1. Sow summer bedding flowers

Sowing bulbs and flower seeds in February and March will give them enough time to get a head start on flowering. If you’re making a new ground bedding border, you may benefit from a rotavator or a tiller to churn the soil, allowing for the ground planting of bulbs.

If the ground isn’t too frosty or waterlogged, and we aren’t expecting further extreme cold weather, you can start sowing in late February.

If you’re sowing seeds, you might want to sow into pots until they are plug plants, for easier management.

2. Clean your greenhouse

Brush up all debris using a broom and collect. Remember to clear the floor and check for snails and other pests which shouldn’t be there.

Then, you’ll want to hire a pressure washer to properly clean the floor of the greenhouse. This will ensure no soil or moss is growing. Let it dry in the sun with the windows and door open, which will avoid humidity building up.

 

March

The mornings are brighter, the evenings are lighter, and the clocks go forward on the last Sunday of March every year. Early spring is here.

So, when you get home from work, you can now start to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors. But before you start any gardening for the year ahead, remember to always check for wildlife in your garden. Hedgehogs start to emerge in March, and you may also find other wildlife sheltering under leaf piles, such as frogs, mice, and even birds.

1. Give your lawn a boost

Remove the dead top layer of grass and moss using a scarifier, before aerating.

2. Finalise the borders

A rotavator will help to churn the soil, whether the border is brand new or whether it just needs some air after a long winter. Read how to use a rotavator in our guide.

Making borders from scratch? Planning on growing more than you did last year because it went so well? Read our blog on how to safely use a turf cutter, and then hire one from Speedy.

3. Pressure wash your surfaces

From paving to decking, furniture to walls, a pressure washer can be used to get all of that winter dirt off surfaces.

You might notice things are a bit green. This is all the moss and algae which thrived in damp, dark conditions. A blast of water from the pressure washer can banish it without the need for chemicals which can harm wildlife, vegetation, and pets.

Always wear PPE such as eye protection and cover your skin when using a pressure washer, as the force can send debris into the air. The force of the water is strong, too, so wear strong work boots or wellies–this isn’t a job to be done in flip-flops.

 

April

The brighter mornings and evenings, warmer weather, and (hopefully) less rain means we can begin planting outside and sitting/dining outside too.

It’s time to start thinking about summer, how you want to enjoy your garden, and what you want out of it. It is the last opportunity to get things ready if planning ahead.

1. Repair/lay turf

If your grass is looking a bit worse for wear after a harsh winter, start the reparations or replacements now.

For the beyond repair areas of grass, hire a turf cutter to remove the damaged clod, before laying new turf.

If you think it is saveable, hire a grass scarifier and an aerator to remove dead thatch and increase airflow to the roots, before sowing grass seed and using some lawn feed.

2. Cut back problem weeds

Hire a brush cutter to cut back any problem weeds, such as nettles and brambles, which will have had a real growth spurt over winter and maybe a bit out of control.

A brush cutter will get the job done quicker and easier than manual shears and will allow you to be ruthless and cut everything right back.

3. Check your guttering

All that wind, rain, and fallen leaves will have given your guttering a bit of a battering.

While you may be lucky and have not had any detrimental fall-out from damaged guttering, you want to check it now to see if any repairs need to be carried out.

Hire a one-man access tower so you have a safe, stable height platform to work from. A pressure washer can help blast a mass of debris out of the guttering, but you may just need a small brush and shovel if there doesn’t seem to be much to clear.

Remember to check the guttering on your greenhouse and shed, too. If you don’t have any guttering here, it is worth installing some and collecting the rainwater in a water butt for summer flowers.

 

May

May sees the end of spring, but the threats of frost and damp weather aren’t over just yet. Worry not; our monthly gardening guides give you a breakdown of what to do in the garden and when.

1. Start to mow lawns weekly or fortnightly

You should have already done the first cut or two of your lawn. From May, lawnmowing should be done weekly or fortnightly.

How often depends on how long you want to keep the grass and the quality of your grass. Less frequent mowing will help keep the lawn healthier if it is struggling to grow just yet, but if your lawn is in good condition, weekly mowing promotes a denser turf and reduces weeds.

2. Prepare your seating areas

As well as the actual gardening, you want to start enjoying the garden. If you’re not able to sit out in the garden just yet, you will be able to from June onwards. So, prep now.

Use a pressure washer to clean your seating area, whether this is decking or patio stones.

If you have wooden garden furniture, read our guide on how to restore it after a harsh winter. You’ll need a sander and some soapy water—remember to wear eye protection and gloves when sanding.

Apply wood treatment to all wooden furniture, such as sheds, this month too.

 

June

The end of June is seen as the start of summer, with the nicer weather meaning we can finally have barbecues and enjoy our gardens in full bloom.

June 21st is also the longest day of the year, so we need to make the most of the longer nights.

Hopefully, your garden will now be able to be enjoyed right up until around September or October—if you keep on top of it.

1. Keep the lawn in good condition

You should be mowing the lawn every week or so. Never remove more than one-third of the height and keep it at a few centimetres tall so it remains thick and looks in good condition.

You might have to keep it watered with a hosepipe (if there are no bans in your local area). If you have a large grass area, consider leaving some long so wildlife can take shelter from the heat if needed.

Read our guide on the best lawnmowing tips to ensure you use the right technique to keep your lawn healthy.

 

July

Hopefully, by now, most of your gardening jobs are complete, allowing you to enjoy the height of the British summer in all its glory in your backyard.

To ensure everything lasts as long as possible, July is about maintaining everything. The heat and sun mean you need to keep everything hydrated and keep bugs away from your plants and crops too.

1. Keep plants at their best

Deadhead your flowers regularly, to encourage new growth. Don’t forget about deadheading hanging baskets and cut and pot any strawberry runners to keep the fruit on the original plant growing. Pinch off-side shoots on tomatoes, as well.

Check produce for any bugs, such as caterpillars, which need to be removed, and harvest anything ready. If your bushes and hedges are shaped, keep this shape by using a hedge trimmer – it is easier to keep on top of it than to try and reshape come autumn.

2. Keep your lawn cared for

Your grass can become parched and yellowed in the hot weather if it isn’t getting enough regular water and feed.

If your lawn is healthy, mow twice a week so the grass blades don’t get too long and straggly. In drought, cut this down to once a week, or once a fortnight if watering isn’t possible.

Ideally, you should water generously twice a week in the height of summer, and once a week otherwise. Give the grass a fast-acting summer feed if it didn’t get one in spring.

If water is scarce, lay the grass clippings back onto the lawn for added moisture retention and nutrition. Using a mulching lawnmower can help fertilise the grass naturally.

Read our guide on lawn mowing tips, so you don’t cause any damage to the grass. Remember to wear gloves, safety boots, and eye protection when working with lawnmowers and strimmers.

3. Clear weeds

Weeds thrive at this time of year. The nice weather, and an occasional saturation with rainwater, means they can pop up and overtake everything else in days.

For dandelions, pouring boiling water on the plant can help and is a natural solution to killing the root. If you have a garden bed and weeds are a real issue, you might need to hire a rotavator to fully remove weeds once the growing season is over.

In the meantime, woodchips around your bedding plants can help naturally smother weeds and prevent growth.

 

August

August is commonly a month for heatwaves, summer holidays, and hosepipe bans. Therefore, you’ve got to tackle both keeping your plants and grass hydrated in the heat, as well as entertaining the kids (and enjoying the weather yourself).

While you have less to do than in other months, the jobs are as important, so below are some things to do in the garden in August.

1. Prepare soil for laying turf

If you’re going to be laying new turf, you can do this from September onwards. So, if your grass is looking a bit bare, prepare your soil now.

Bring up the old grass using a turf cutter, and then rotavate your soil. This will increase aeration and ensure any weeds quickly grow before you lay the new grass, so you can get rid of them.

2. Keep on top of weeds

Weeds grow exponentially in hot weather, so pull them out as soon as you see them. For any which can’t be pulled, such as dandelions, pouring boiling water on them is a good method of killing them, as it doesn’t affect your other plants either.

Rotavating can help improve drainage and churn up soil, so once your flower beds are empty, prepare to rotavate soil to encourage weed growth and ensure none remain for next year.

3. Keep your grass longer

In summer, grass should be kept around 13–25mm (½–1in). But if you’re going through a drought, leave your lawn a bit longer to retain moisture. Cutting it too low could mean it struggles to grow back and scorches.

Hire a mulching lawnmower if you want to make use of your grass cuttings. The cuttings are compacted back into the grass to act as feed, releasing nutrients rather than just getting rid of them. This will help with hydration, too.

You still want to keep on top of weeds, though, so if you’re keeping your grass longer, use a weed killer for targeted action.

 

September

While September may see the meteorological start of autumn, we can still get a few nice days and plenty of sunshine throughout the month.

Plenty of flowers may still be in bloom in your garden, and vegetables and fruit can still be developing too. So, September is a month to maintain your garden but also start looking forward.

1. Create your new lawn

Autumn weather is ideal for a new lawn. Not too hot, and plenty of time for development when not in use. You will get root growth, rather than leafy growth.

We have guides on how to overseed your lawn if you can work with the existing grass, as well as how to lay new turf if you need to start fresh as your current lawn is unsalvageable.

2. Keep on top of the guttering and pipes

Remember to clean your gutters throughout autumn and ensure they are debris-free. Check them over now for any issues, such as broken pipes, loose fittings, and cracks. Make any repairs before the rain arrives.

Hire a Mi tower to ensure you do this safely and securely.

3. Clear out outbuildings

Sheds, greenhouses, cold frames, and garages should all be cleared out ready to store garden tools, plant pots, and plants and trees that need shelter over the winter.

Empty any old pots. Old soil and decaying plants can harbour pests and diseases which can be harmful to your new plants next year. You will then want to get rid of all traces of this soil.

A yard brush can get rid of any soil and debris first. Then, use a pressure washer to blast away any dirt remaining. This will ensure everything is clean and organised, so when you go to sort everything in the new year, you know where it is, and everything is in good condition.

 

October

For your garden to all run smoothly, every month brings new gardening tasks and jobs which need to be carried out—even in the winter months. From lawn care to sowing and planting seeds, everything needs to be down to a fine art to ensure your spring and summer months are fully blooming and bursting with colour.

1. Aerate your lawn

Drainage will need to be improved in winter, because of the increase in rain. Aeration can help here, which is simply spiking holes in the grass to improve water flow. These holes can be filled with grit if required.

 

 

2. Rake up fallen leaves

October sees the leaves falling from the trees. They will end up on your grass and borders, and while they will rot down given time, they can be a hazard until then.

This especially applies on paths and driveways, which can be slippery. So, rake up the leaves and store them in bags to rot down into leaf mould. This will give you the perfect mulch and potting material for years to come.

If your garden is particularly filled with leaves from a large, old tree, you may prefer to hire a leaf blower. This can help you gather everything in one spot and then collect it with ease in no time.

You can add these leaves to your compost bin if you don’t have any plans for them. Just check they don’t have any pests or diseases first.

3. Clean bird boxes

Birds have finished nesting, so you should have used a long-reach hedge trimmer to cut back any extreme growth by now. But their bird boxes still need to be cleaned, too.

They can either be left bare for next year or turned into a winter roost. Either way, you need to remove any old nesting material and then disinfect it all using an animal-friendly cleaning solution.

Add a cosy material, such as sheep wool insulation, if you want to make it available for winter.

4.Keep on top of weeds

Now that the ground is a bit damper, weeds will start thriving. Perennials such as horsetail or bindweed need to be forked up, with the root removed.

Keeping on top of this will ensure you aren’t faced with a sea of weeds in the new year.

 

November

November can see a lot of rainfall and wind, but it doesn’t mean your job as a garden owner has to be put on hold.

1. Check everything is secured

Repairs and security aren’t just about keeping wind and rain out. Think about those darker nights too, which can be a security risk. As well as repairing shed panels, check the lock and hinges are all in good condition and can’t easily be tampered with.

If there’s anything expensive in your shed, such as tools, you may want to add an extra layer of security. Locks and chains can work but also think about security lights and alarms.

The first layer of security, though, starts with fences and gates. Again, check locks and hinges, and use a nail gun to make any quick necessary repairs to panels and wood.

Wear eye protection and gloves when using a nail gun. Read our guide on how to use a nail gun if you’re unsure what to do.

2. Keep on top of fallen leaves and debris

You’ve hopefully already cleared your guttering, but still, check it weekly to see if it needs another clear-out. Leaves and debris on grass and flowerbeds can cause compaction and issues with growth next year, so remove them ASAP.

Leaves can also be slipping hazards and a hiding place for slugs and snails. Use a leaf blower to quickly move them to one remote area, where they can either be collected or used by wildlife to shelter in over the colder months.

3. Do your last-minute wood preservation

With a bit of luck, you’ve done any final painting of fences, sheds, and walls by this time of year, when the weather was a bit warmer. But if not, make the most of the final days of dry weather to put some additional preservative on your wood and walls.

This can be the paint you’ve used or an additional stain. Protecting and preserving your wood from damp will help slow down the rotting process. A brush is fine to use, but hiring a paint sprayer will get the job done quicker if you have a large area to cover.

Pick a dry day, with no rain forecast. You should also spend the full day tackling the issue before it gets dark.

 

December

December is often a month of rain, wind and possibly snow depending on where you are in the UK. It is unlikely you will be able to enjoy dinner or a morning coffee in the garden, but you still need to carry out some gardening tasks which will prime you well for next year.

1. Hard prune overgrown shrubs

If you have shrubs, fruit trees or hedging in the garden which really need some attention, now is the time to do it if they are dormant.

You probably gave the shrubs a trim post-summer once the birds had finished nesting, but a hard prune will encourage new growth in the new year and can help reshape things. As for fruit trees, large trees will benefit from their shape and size being controlled so they can grow back bigger and better next year.

Use a long-reach hedge trimmer if you have a lot of pruning to do. This will do the job quicker and allow you to reach without the need for ladders, which is safer.

Always wear PPE when using power tools and gardening equipment, which will include eye and ear protection, gloves, and protective clothing.

2. Add wood chips around established plants

Use wood chips as a mulch around established plants, which will protect their roots from colder temperatures. As well as mature shrubs, also use them around fruit trees and woody bushes.

3 .Keep on top of fallen leaves

Something which should be done right from the start of autumn as soon as the leaves start to fall is to use a leaf blower to get them a bit more orderly. You don’t want to have fallen leaves all over the garden for three reasons:

  • They’re a slip hazard on paths and walkways
  • The weight damages the grass and border plants, meaning they become damaged and can’t get air
  • Pests such as slugs live in the leaves, which can then damage your plants and are dangerous to pets
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