07/01/2019, Sam Welsh, Founder Debonair Gardens
As we progress further from winter solstice and the days thankfully start getting longer again, it is time to start planning and prepping our gardens for the coming spring. Whilst this could seem a daunting task, there are a few simple steps that will make sure our flowerbeds, shrubs and trees can flourish.
1. Removing weeds and unwanted vegetation
First off, we want to get rid of any weeds ASAP. As the weather begins to improve (somewhat!) and temperatures rise, weeds will germinate and spread creating competition for the plants we wish to prosper in the coming season. Beds should be taken back to bare soil; however, well composted mulch and organic matter can be left to break down and become incorporated into the mix. Once the weeds are removed, they should be disposed of properly so that they cannot come back. To do this, they could be burned or placed deep inside compost bins/patches so that the heat with kill them and prevent germination.
2. Soil preparation
With the risk of frost reducing, it is time for us to give a bit of TLC to our soil. To begin this process, we should first hoe or fork through the soil to a depth of around 15-20cm to loosen it and mix in any composted materials that may be scattered on top. It is important to avoid the roots of existing plants that may be hiding under the surface so as not to damage or disturb them and affect their growth in the spring.
Next up comes the compost application. When using our own compost, we should make sure it has nothing too green or fresh within it so that it can start providing nutrients to the soil most effectively. A good tip to follow now would be to assess the PH levels of the soil with a testing kit, which can be bought from most garden centres at a relatively low cost, so that any minerals or materials that could improve the levels in the soil can be added* (for help with this please use link at the bottom). For poor quality soils, such as clay-based soil, we should add another healthy layer of compost to improve the moisture retention and nutrient content.
For the final step of soil preparation, rake over and even out the soil followed by a light watering to help it settle.
3. Pruning
A wide range of trees and shrubs will benefit from pruning this time of year, especially those that bloom on new wood. Most of our trees and shrubs will currently have an exposed branch structure, making it that much easier to see exactly where to snip, giving us the opportunity to improve the shape before buds break dormancy and our plants begin investing more energy into their branches.
Before we begin this process, it is good idea to sterilise our secateurs (and repeat between plants) so that any disease that may be hiding does not spread from one plant to another.
Some of the plants we should prune at this time of year are: Rose plant, Cornus Canadensis (Flowering Dogwood), Hydrangea paniculata, Cercis (Redbud), Lonicera (Honeysuckle), Summer-blooming Spirea, Lagerstroemia (Crepe Myrtle), Buddleia (Butterfly Bush), and Wisteria.
In addition to pruning, it’s a great time to shape and train our climbers and flexible shrubs.
It is also important to note that some of our garden plants would not appreciate a cut this time of year. A few common examples of plants we should leave alone for the time being are: Camellia, Forsythia, Hydrangea Macrophylla (Bigleaf), Syringa (Lilac), Magnolia, Rhododendron (including Azalea), Kalmia (Mountain Laurel), spring-blooming Spirea and Weigela. These plants bloom on old wood and should therefore be left until after the bloom season to achieve best results.
Now that we have our beds ready and our plants prepared, we can sit back and take a moment to decide what, if any, new plants or features would complement our gardens and what bulbs may want bedding to maximise the colour and beauty of our outside spaces.
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*Useful guide to PH testing soil - http://blog.hannainst.com/soil-ph-testing
Next blog: Perfect planting – from Bulbs to Trees
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