Winter is finally coming to a close which can mean only one thing – it's time to don those gloves and show your garden some love.
Not sure where to start? Get your garden in order this spring with our top gardening tips.
Order seeds and bulbs for spring and summer
Towards the end of winter is when to stock up on your favourite seeds and bulbs for
late spring and early summer. You should plant these as soon as the weather warms up a touch. Consider investing in yellow trilliums, lilacs, hyacinths and daffodils for a really colourful selection.
Inspect the winter damage and clean up
During chilly months, it's tough to find the enthusiasm to venture out into the garden.
Consequently, your garden might need some prep before you can start planting your selection for summer. Pick up any dead leaves and twigs, redefine the borders of your lawn and remove the dead stalks off perennials.
When it starts to get warmer, clear away moss, weeds and lichen. To do this, fill a bucket with
boiling water and salt and spread across the area.
Win the war against pests with an early strike
Even the greatest gardeners concede that pests – creatures and diseases – are part and parcel of gardening. Nature, the garden designer
Kate Gould explained a few years ago, 'doesn't stand still just because you are'.
Ahead of spring, spend some time looking for pests that have hidden themselves away during the winter, with snails, slugs and aphid colonies likely to be found hibernating at the crowns of your perennial plants. Check out more on
how to remove bugs from your garden.
Top garden gadgets to consider
Garden technology is more sophisticated than ever, with gadgets ranging from the avant-garde – this
Wi-Fi Plant Sensor - to the practical (see:
best lawnmowers) and the amazing
garden planner.
The best advice? Pick the kind of technology that suits your gardening expertise and level of activity, as some of the gizmos can be rather expensive.
And if the worst should happen, and contents in your garden are damaged, your
home insurer might provide cover against certain damage. If in doubt, check your policy or contact your insurer directly.