GARDENING TIPS

• You can start sowing summer flowers and vegetables, but it’s best to wait until the soil has warmed to around 8°C or higher for reliable germination. Be mindful of late frosts and protect young plants where needed.
• Many shrubs can be pruned now, including serviceberry, cotoneaster, hazel, hawthorn, hornbeam, spindle and crab apple, as well as redcurrant bushes.
• Lightly trim lavender, cutting back to just above the woody growth to maintain its shape.Butterfly bushes (buddleja) can be cut back hard now, to around 30–40 cm above the ground, to encourage strong new growth.
• Potted plants will benefit from being repotted into slightly larger containers with fresh compost, giving them a boost for the growing season ahead.
• If you’d like to keep pots off greenhouse surfaces, a pot stand can be a simple and practical solution.

INSPIRATION

Decorate your greenhouse for Easter. Scatter small Easter eggs around the garden, create simple seasonal decorations, and arrange fresh spring flowers inside your greenhouse.

Spring is the perfect time to create different spaces in your garden. Thoughtfully designed areas can enhance both the look and feel of your outdoor space, making it more enjoyable to spend time in.

You might divide your garden into zones with different themes, colours or plant types, adding visual interest and variety. Smaller, more secluded corners can create cosy, intimate spots where you can relax and unwind.

Creating distinct areas can also support wildlife. For example, a wildflower patch can attract bees and butterflies, while a small water feature may encourage birds and beneficial insects.

By organising your garden into zones, you can better match plants to their ideal conditions — whether that’s sun, shade, or soil type — allowing you to grow a wider variety of plants with success.