Garden Maintenance through the seasons
Winter gardening
Select Winter-Hardy Plants:
Choose plants that are well-suited for winter conditions.
Mulch for Insulation:
Apply a thick layer of mulch around plants to insulate the soil and protect roots from extreme temperature fluctuations. Mulch also helps retain moisture.
Protect Pot Plants:
Insulate plants where necessary
Prune Deciduous Trees and Shrubs:
Winter is an excellent time for pruning deciduous trees and shrubs since they are dormant. Remove dead or diseased branches to encourage healthy growth in the spring.
Provide Winter Bird Feeding:
Set up bird feeders to attract winter birds. Not only does this add life and movement to your winter garden, but birds can also help control pests.
- Spring prep and bulb planting
- General garden upkeep
Spring Gardening
Plan and Design:
Review your garden layout and make any desired changes. Plan the placement of new plants
Soil Preparation:
Test the soil pH and nutrient levels. Amend the soil with compost or organic matter as needed. Work on improving soil structure.
Clean Up:
Remove debris, dead plants, and weeds from garden beds. Prune back any damaged or dead branches from trees and shrubs.
Pruning:
Prune fruit trees, shrubs and roses before new growth starts. Remove dead or diseased wood and shape plants as needed.
Weed Control:
Start early-season weeding to prevent weed competition and give your plants a healthy start.
Watering:
Ensure plants receive adequate water as the weather warms up. Water deeply to encourage strong root development.
Garden Maintenance:
Weeding, lawn mowing, tidying + all maintenance tasks
Outdoor Planting:
Add flowering plants to attract pollinators and interest
Check Irrigation Systems:
Test and make any necessary repairs to your irrigation system. Ensure that water is distributed evenly to all plants.
Summer
Mulching:
Apply a thick layer of mulch around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Mulching is crucial during hot summer months.
Watering:
Water deeply and consistently especially during dry periods. Early morning & late evening is the best time to water to minimize water loss through evaporation.
Pruning and Deadheading:
Deadhead flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Prune back leggy or overgrown plants to maintain shape and improve air circulation.
Weed Control:
Keep up with weed control to reduce competition for water and nutrients. Mulching helps with weed suppression.
Shade Protection:
Provide shade for sensitive plants during intense sun exposure. This can be achieved using strategically placed taller plants, or temporary structures.
Watering Consistency:
Maintain consistent watering practices. Deep watering is more effective than frequent shallow watering for promoting deep root growth.
Lawn Care:
Adjust your lawn mower height to leave the grass slightly longer. Longer grass shades the soil, reducing evaporation and promoting root health.
Container Gardening:
Pay extra attention to watering container plants as they can dry out more quickly than those in the ground.
Autumn
Clean Up the Garden:
Clear away debris and dead plant material to create a clean slate for the next growing season.
Pruning:
Trim back perennials and grasses to tidy up the garden and encourage new growth in the spring.
Prune any dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs.
Plant Bulbs:
Autumn is the time to plant spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses. The cool soil encourages root development before winter.
Mulching:
Apply a layer of mulch around plants to insulate the soil and protect plant roots from freezing temperatures. Mulching also helps retain moisture.
Soil Preparation:
Test and amend your soil if needed. Adding organic matter like compost helps improve soil structure and fertility.
Plan for Spring:
Take notes on your garden's performance during the current season and make plans for changes or improvements in the spring.
Autumn Fertilization:
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to provide essential nutrients to plants for the winter and early spring growth.
Gardening tasks through all the seasons as required will include:
- Lawn mowing
- Hand Weeding borders and flower beds
- Maintaining sharp lawn edges and general boundaries
- Leaf blowing, sweeping, raking up and tidying
- Reporting any defects in the garden
- Hedge cutting
- Planting
- Soil management
- Pruning