Weekend garden jobs that make a big difference in spring - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
Briefly

Weekend garden jobs that make a big difference in spring - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
Spring garden work can rapidly improve outdoor spaces for the rest of the year. Lawns benefit from removing winter thatch through scarifying so air reaches roots, followed by aeration using fork punctures to improve drainage and strengthen root growth. Bare patches should be overseeded and kept well watered, and compost top dressing can help level uneven areas. Borders can be refreshed by clearing dead stems left for winter wildlife, dividing congested perennials to create new plants, and working well-rotted compost into soil to support new growth and moisture retention. Weeds are easiest to remove early when small and shallow-rooted, and hoeing on a dry day helps uprooted weeds dry out and die.
"Begin by raking out any thatch, which is the layer of dead grass and debris that builds up over winter. A good scarify lifts this material away and lets air reach the roots. Once that is done, aerate the lawn by pushing a fork into the ground at regular intervals. This improves drainage and encourages stronger root growth."
"If there are bare patches, overseed them and keep them well watered over the coming weeks. A light top dressing of compost can also help to level out any lumps and bumps that have appeared. Borders can look a little sorry for themselves after winter, but they respond quickly to some attention."
"Start by clearing away any dead stems that you left standing through the colder months. These will have provided shelter for wildlife over winter, but by spring it is time for them to go. Divide any perennials that have become congested. Dig up the clump, split it with a spade and replant the healthiest sections."
"The best time to deal with weeds is before they establish. In early spring, many weeds are still small and their root systems are shallow, which makes them much easier to remove. Hoe on a dry day so that the uprooted weeds dry out and die rather than re-rooting."
[
|
]