Easter In Your Garden

There’s lots to be done outside, now the slower winter months have passed.

Feed trees, shrubs and hedges with a slow-release fertiliser by lightly forking it into the soil surface.

Feed roses with special rose feed or balanced fertiliser as they come into growth.

Prune roses now to encourage strong new growth.

Prune clematis – prune 

early-flowering varieties once their flowers have finished and 

summer-flowering ones before they start into active growth.

Finish cutting back dead foliage from perennials and ornamental grasses to make way for new growth.

Prune overwintered fuchsias back to one or two buds on each shoot. This will encourage a bushy growth habit.

Keep an eye out for slugs as the weather warms. Pay special attention to soft, new growth, which slugs love. Use nematodes for an effective organic control.

Cut the old leaves off hellebores to remove any foliar diseases and make spring flowers more visible.

Continue to deadhead winter pansies 

to stop them setting seed. This will encourage flushes of new flowers throughout the spring.

Mow your lawn if it needs it. Choose a dry day and set your blades higher than usual.

Get rid of slimy patches on patios and paving by scrubbing with a broom or blasting with a pressure washer.

Begin weeding as the weather warms — it’s easier to control weeds if you remove them while they’re still young.

Check containers to ensure the soil hasn’t dried out.

Top-dress containers by removing the top 2.5cm (1”) of soil, and replacing it with fresh compost.

Top up veg planters and raised beds with compost and good quality topsoil.

Scrub watering cans with hot soapy wate to prevent fungal diseases.

Order annual bedding plants now, ready for beautiful containers and hanging baskets this year.