After a long Winter, the first shoots of spring always bring about a seismic shift in the spirits. Spring is traditionally when many new flowers and bulbs emerge from the slightly warmed up earth, so with spring on its way, we’ve put together 10 ideas to get your outside space in top shape and get a head start on the new gardening year.

1. Take Care of Your Lawn

Spring is a good time to feed and rake your lawn, while levelling off any uneven areas and taking note of areas that need reseeding. Ensure all debris and dead grass cuttings are removed, allowing it to breathe and not become waterlogged.

2. Pull those weeds

It’s best to remove weeds as soon as possible, before they have a chance to grow and deeply root. Eliminating them when the ground is still soft from winter will also be much easier than from hard, dry summer soil.

3. Rake the leaves

If you’ve noticed any dead leaves or stalks that have fallen to the ground, these need to be cleared away for this year’s new growth. They can harbour diseases and allow bacteria to develop and infect your plants.

4. Spruce up your tools

After months of laying in the garden shed, your gardening tools will likely need some TLC. It’s important to keep your tools clean and free from germs. The regular maintenance of your garden tools will help to prevent the spread of disease and also help preserve them, saving you money in the long run. Sharpening your pruning knives and shears will also improve their performance; they'll be easier to work with and will give cleaner cuts.

5. Plant some bulbs

It’s worth planting a few bulbs to improve both the look of your garden, and the natural aspect. They’ll bring a wide variety of wildlife to your garden including bees, butterflies and ladybirds, and if you plant them early in spring, this will give enough time for them to bloom perfectly for the summer sunshine.

6. Clean out your greenhouse

Now is the perfect time to give your greenhouse a good clean. Make sure you disinfect the outside and inside, removing algae, moss and general grime. This will let in more light during the growing months, while removing potential homes for pests and disease.

7. Prune trees, shrubs and hedges

Prune any shrubs before they leaf out, and remove any broken, dead, or damaged plants. It’s also a great time to move any deciduous shrubs, on a still day to prevent the wind from drying out the roots, while they are still dormant. Some plants may also require re-potting or trimmed to encouraged new growth.

8. Look after Garden Furniture

Plastic, wood, or wicker – whatever your garden furniture is made of, it’s important to look after it. Depending on the material, start with a simple clean followed by the appropriate wood oil to seal and protect it.

9. Get rid of pests

Even if you’ve taken steps to help prevent the spread of diseases throughout your garden, sometimes pests are still drawn to your plants. Hunting down and removing hibernating pests now will save you a lot of trouble come summer. Some species can be brushed off, but others may need specialist pest treatment.

10. Maintain fences and gates

It’s the ideal time to get those niggly maintenance jobs out of the way. Check fence panels and gates for any sign of weather damage or decay and clean any dirt, moss or mildew. Fixing any broken structures now will give you more time to spend in the garden during spring and summer.

Don’t forget to review your home insurance. Check your buildings and contents cover to see what’s covered within your home insurance policy, and be sure you have the coverage you need.

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