How to Get Your Garden Ready Post-Winter

How to get your garden ready post-winter 

Winter is a tough time for our gardens. The wind can damage fences and trees, the rain can flood flowerbeds and grass, and patios and walls often see a build up of algae from the lack of warmth and light. 

But once the snowdrops and daffodils start to emerge, we can start to look forward to our gardens being usable again. This is often early spring, using mid-March as a guideline. The soil should have started to warm up, and the worst of the frosts will hopefully have passed. 

You can start preparing for this moment in February, by sowing seeds indoors or in greenhouses and cold frames, and creating a timeline of when to start working. 

 

Clean up debris 

Before you start any other tasks, ensure you have a clear area to work with. Remove any fallen leaves by using a leaf blower and gathering into a pile, before composting. 

Get rid of dead plants which won’t emerge again in warmer weather if not done already. You should also clear fallen branches, and ensure any paths are clear so you can safely move around the garden. 

Check all of your tools are in working order and in good condition before using them. You may need to sharpen pruners, shears, and spades. Understand what you have, and what you will need to hire to get the garden back to normal. 

 

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When to start cutting your grass 

In the UK, you can usually begin to cut your grass around halfway through March. The exact date will depend on the weather. 

Temperatures should steadily be above 6°C, as this is when grass will start growing. Avoid mowing when there is frost or frost is forecast, as this can damage the freshly cut grass blades, leading to lasting damage. 

You should only mow when there’s been a few dry days, too, as otherwise the weight of the mower can damage soil and compact it down, damaging grass roots. The mower blade will also find it hard to cut the blades of grass, instead tearing at them. 

For the first cut, only remove less than a third of the height of the grass. You can keep the mower blades high to make this easier. This will encourage growth without it getting stressed. Cut later in the day so all dew has evaporated, too. 

 

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When to cut hedges 

Hedges should be cut between October and February to minimise disturbance to nesting birds. So, you ideally shouldn’t cut them back once we get to March. 

But as long as you check for any signs of nesting, you may be able to trim your hedge last minute. Local conditions and species found in your garden can affect nesting times. 

Generally, hedge trimming between March and August should be avoided though. A single trim, in late summer or early autumn, will likely mean the hedge requires less maintenance over future years too. So, when the time comes, hire a hedge trimmer to get the job done efficiently when the weather suits. 

 

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When to tend to grass 

You may find after winter that your lawn is more moss than grass. Spring is when moss is likely to be at its worst, after the dark, wet days. 

Ideal moss removal conditions are when there is moisture in the soil, and the temperature is a bit warmer. And, you ideally want to remove moss before the first grass mow of the season, to make it easier for the moss to be accessed. 

But you also want to remove moss when the grass has started to grow. Otherwise, the new bare areas of the lawn will encourage weed growth, rather than grass. You may need to overseed your lawn if there are bare areas. 

A scarifier can remove all of the moss, without damaging the grass. 

To avoid moss in future, ensure your grass is well draining by using an aerator regularly. Also, ensure it gets as much light as possible—even in winter. This may mean removing trees which shade the grass over winter and addressing excessive shade. 

 

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When to weed 

The rise in temperatures accelerates the growth of weeds. It is important to keep on top of weeds with regular hoeing and tilling soil. 

When the soil is still moist, you can mulch to prevent weed growth. You can use woodchips for this, or purchase dedicated mulching. 

If your grass is suffering from weeds, using a mulching lawnmower will help keep nutrients in the soil and remove the risk of weeds finding space to emerge. 

 

When to pressure wash patios and decking 

Moss, algae, and mud can all make patios and decking look well past their best. But pressure washers provide you with a great way of getting all the grime away, without using harsh chemicals. This makes them pet-friendly and simple. 

• How to clean your patio with a pressure washer

You can also pressure wash your driveway, using a hot pressure washer if there’s built-up grime and oil on there. This can also remove moss or other debris growing through the gaps. 

Simply hook your pressure washer up to an outside tap, and begin. Always wear PPE, including gloves, work boots, and goggles. The force of the water can cause an injury, and can also cause stones and other debris to be disturbed. 

 

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When to clean your greenhouse 

Before the greenhouse is used in spring, clean it thoroughly. Sweep away any soil or debris from the floor, and utilise a pressure washer to tackle stubborn dirt. Clean the windows to ensure optimal light reaches the plants. Next, check the seals around the greenhouse to confirm there are no gaps or breaks that could allow cold air or moisture in. 

 

READY TO HIRE? 

Hiring the tools you need means you can get quality equipment at a low cost. Open a Speedy account online or on the app for all your tool hire needs. 

Speedy has more than 200 local service centres across the nation and 4-hour delivery to a site of your choice. So, you can tackle your spring cleaning gardening jobs straight away as soon as spring arrives.