Creating a blaze of colour against an otherwise dull backdrop, you should already be enjoying the early spring flowers, such as daffodils. Now, the bushes, shrubs and trees will be in bud and other plants will be starting to poke through the soil.
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Putting the work in now and getting the preparation work underway will give you a better chance of reaping the rewards later.
Buying seeds
Now is the time to start ordering seeds and preparing your containers for propagating. This is the case whether you're planning on growing vegetables or flowers. You can even sow some seeds now if they're undercover, such as in a greenhouse.
If you're planning to grow outdoors, the weather needs to be a little warmer. In this case, you'll need to store your seeds in an airtight storage box until you're ready to plant them.
Prepare your containers for propagating by cleaning your old plant pots thoroughly. Alternatively, you could make some DIY containers out of old egg boxes or yoghurt pots. If you have a greenhouse or wide windowsill in a sunny spot, you can keep the pots there. You can also use plastic boxes as mini-greenhouses for seedlings.
If you're a beginner when it comes to growing your own veg, choose something easy to start off with, such as lettuce. There are few gardens where lettuce won't grow, so it's a safe bet you'll succeed. Green beans will usually thrive even in poor quality soil. Other vegetables that are simple to grow include peas, carrots, radishes, cucumber and kale.
Big tidy-up
While your new seedlings are growing in the greenhouse, it's time to brave the great outdoors and tidy the rest of the garden. Collect dead leaves, twigs and stalks from the ground, as they can harbour bacteria and diseases that can infect your plants.
If you have a patio or decking, clean it with plenty of warm water and a sweeping brush, or power-wash it. It's best not to use harsh cleaning products, as they can affect your plants.
Use the debris as compost for your garden. You can make your own compost bin using a plastic container to keep the green garden waste together.
Look after gardening tools
Looking after your gardening tools is an important part of caring for your garden. Just like plant pots and containers, garden tools can also harbour dirt and bacteria if you don't keep them clean – and if my grandad catches you putting them away dirty, look out!
Sharpen and oil tools such as shears and secateurs for pruning to make sure you get a good, clean cut. It's time to purchase new tools if they've gone rusty, or if your shears and pruning scissors are so old that they have seized up and aren't smooth to use.
Keep your smaller tools all together in a sturdy box to ensure you know where to find them in your shed or greenhouse. This also helps to keep them clean and damp-free, as they can go rusty quicker if not kept in dry conditions.
Organising your greenhouse
This brings us to the subject of cleaning out and organising your greenhouse. First, wash the outside of your greenhouse with a mild detergent or disinfectant to remove moss, algae and general dirt, such as bird poop. This lets in more light and removes bacteria and pests, such as insects that will eat your plants.
Clean the inside of the glass too, as there's a good chance pests will have survived the winter months in your greenhouse. Sweep out plant debris from the bench and floor. Wash the greenhouse interior with hot water and a little disinfectant.
Keep your greenhouse well ventilated for a couple of days after washing it out so it dries thoroughly. Once it's clean, inspect the structure to make sure there's no damage to the glass or vents – particularly important after this year’s storms. Carry out minor repairs where necessary using sealant.
When cleaning and tidying your greenhouse, utilise clear plastic storage boxes to keep everything organised. It's easier to find things when you can see what's inside the boxes when they're stacked on the shelves.
Getting the garden ready for spring should be a pleasure, not a chore. Afterall, gardening is so good for the soul! So, wrap up warmly, put on your gardening gloves and get cracking.