Want to whip your garden into shape for the warmer weather? Whether your patio is your yard’s main feature or you have acres of flowers and trees to care for, every landscape needs tending to at this time of year. With some handy horticultural tricks, you can help your garden thrive during spring.
So make the most of the milder temperatures with these top tips for springtime gardening.
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Lawn Care 101
Start your spring yard work from the ground up. First on the list: your lawn. If your grass is looking a little patchy after all those frosty winter mornings, now’s the perfect time to nurse it back to health.
Take these steps at the start of spring to give your lawn a makeover:
• Trim the tops of the grass with a light mow – don’t go too short as it will be hard for it to bounce back, and don’t leave any grass clippings over the yard.
• Aerate your lawn by using a garden spike to poke holes throughout the yard. This will allow better oxygen, water and nutrient circulation and promote growth.
• Top dress your lawn. Use a quality top dressing and rake it out evenly through your grass. Try to avoid covering it up entirely – you want the dressing to be about 1-2cm deep in at the roots.
• Water it down, then avoid walking on it or mowing it for a week or so.
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Potted Plant Paradise
Why not celebrate spring by adding an extra touch of greenery to your outdoor space? From glossy ceramic vases to classic terracotta pots, you can display your favourite plants any way you want. If you’re starting from scratch, be sure to get your hands on some quality potting mix. Don’t use soil from your garden, as it could be infested with pests or weeds. Pick up some potting mix from your local nursery to ensure your plants grow big and strong.
When it comes to planting spring bulbs in a pot plant, the bulb should be buried at a depth 2 to 3 times its own height. This ensures the flower stem will have enough support once it starts to grow. Even though the weather usually remains mild during spring, don’t forget to water your pot plants regularly. The soil inside a pot plant dries out a lot faster than ground soil, and your plants may get a little thirsty on warmer days.
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Flower Power
Not sure what kind of flowers to plant during spring? These are some of our springtime favourites:
• Pansies – These low growers can brighten up any garden bed
• Heucheras – Also known as coral bells, heucheras come in a variety of pretty colours and leaf shapes
• Kale – While not technically a flower, if you’re trying to grow a veggie garden, kale is the perfect springtime edible. It’s tolerant to the cold, and won’t wilt once summer rolls around
• Lilac – Embrace the sweet fragrances of spring by planting some lilac in your garden.
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[/caption] Not much of a green thumb? If you’d rather fill your garden with elegant outdoor structures than pretty flowers, get in touch with Altec today. We are here to help you design the perfect patio, deck or carport for your yard.
Our expert patio designers can create an extension that flows seamlessly between your indoor and outdoor areas. Regardless of your property’s size, we know all the tricks for making the most of underutilised spaces. To transform your garden, Altec can install flyover patios, gabled patios, pergolas, alfresco dining areas and a range of other outdoor structures.
Book in a free consultation to start planning your garden makeover today.
