Seasonal hub · March – May
Spring garden jobs in the UK.
Spring is the season that decides how much work your summer will be. Soil improvement, mulching and an irrigation system set up now will save hours of watering in July.
The main jobs this season
1. Tidy borders and cut back last year's growth
Remove collapsed perennial stems and old leaves in early March once the worst frosts have passed. Leave a few hollow stems in a quiet corner for overwintering insects.
2. Mulch every bed before growth takes off
A 5cm layer of compost or well-rotted manure over damp soil in March locks in winter moisture, feeds the soil and suppresses weeds. This is the single biggest thing you can do to cut summer watering.
3. Sow seeds in stages
Hardy veg — broad beans, peas, beetroot, carrots, salad — go in from late March. Tender crops like tomatoes, courgettes and beans start indoors in April and go out after the last frost in late May.
4. First mow and lawn feed
Mow on a high blade setting from mid-March as growth begins, dropping the height gradually. Apply a nitrogen-rich spring feed in April when the grass is actively growing and the soil is damp.
5. Set up irrigation and water butts
Install or reconnect dripline and timers in April, before you need them. Check every joint, flush the line, and set the timer for early morning. Connect downpipes to water butts while spring rain is still plentiful.
6. Plant containers and hanging baskets
Pot up summer bedding from late April, using a moisture-retaining compost. Containers dry out fastest of anything in the garden, so plan drip nozzles or self-watering globes for them now.
What to plant in spring
- Bare-root and container shrubs, hedging and roses (March, while soil is moist)
- Hardy veg: broad beans, peas, carrots, beetroot, spinach, radish
- Potatoes: first earlies in March, maincrop in April
- Summer bulbs: lilies, gladioli, dahlias (after frost risk)
- Half-hardy bedding and tender veg outdoors from late May
How much to water in spring
Established plants rarely need watering in a normal UK spring — rainfall usually covers it. Focus water on the things that cannot cope alone: seed trays, newly sown drills, fresh turf and anything planted this year.
Water new planting once a week with a good soak rather than a daily splash. Dry, windy April weather dries soil faster than people expect, so check 5cm down with a finger before deciding.
Spring checklist
- Mulch all beds and borders
- Service and test irrigation, timers and water butts
- Sow in succession rather than all at once
- Feed the lawn once growth starts
- Stake tall perennials early, before they flop
Water less, grow more
A zoned dripline system waters borders, beds and containers at the root zone on a timer, so the garden keeps going whether you are at home or away.
Other seasons