What to do in your garden this season.

After a wet winter like the one we have just experienced here in Perth, there is no better time than Spring to get your garden back into tip top shape, especially if you are thinking of listing your property for sale. After all, spring is all about beautiful blooms which means a key time for garden care!

Whilst it can be an overwhelming task to get everything back to picture perfect, we’ve compiled a handy checklist of tasks that will help you tackle the unruly, which will have your garden looking pristine once summer arrives. 

Get your shed locked and loaded! 

Is there anything more Australian than a garden shed? Not only do they act as additional storage space, but they also add value to your home come sale time. Sheds are wonderful for storing valuable items, household tools and garden appliances. Though they can be light, they are extremely robust, making them durable despite their lack of foundation. 

The problem with sheds though, is that they often become a dumping ground for clutter. So, before you get started in your garden this spring, ensure your shed is cleared and ready to be a usable, working space. Go over your tools - sharpen blades and oil hinges ready for use. You should also take this opportunity to replenish your supplies. Make sure you have enough fertilizer and soil amendments on hand.The right tools will make the whole job much easier!

Time for a clear out.

So, it’s time to get down to business! Start with a thorough spring clean of the overall area, removing anything and everything in your way until you are back to the bare soil. 

At this stage, your main concern is any weeds that might still be alive and kicking. These must be removed from the soil and either burned or placed in the middle of a working compost pile where the heat will kill it before any seeds can germinate.  

You need to ensure that you’re not leaving any living weeds around as they might come back and try to compete with your garden plants!

Get pruning!

Many trees or shrubs can use a good pruning this time of year. But, before you get carried away with the snippers, there are a couple of things you need to consider. 

First up, you need to use a clean rag and some isopropyl alcohol to sterilise your pruners before each cut. This precaution keeps you from inadvertently spreading plant disease all around the garden. 

Then, it’s time to snip! Prune trees and shrubs to remove any withered winter leaves and be sure to trim your hedges to encourage new growth. If you haven't done it already, summer flowering shrubs like hibiscus and hydrangea should be trimmed now so all their energy goes into producing beautiful blooms. If you leave it any later and you risk cutting off the buds - so get onto it now!

Lastly, whenever you prune your plants, it is always good practice to add some fertiliser to the soil to ensure that the plant has the nutrients on hand to heal its wounds quickly.

Prep the soil.

In winter, soil tends to become compacted, so one of the first things you’ll want to do is loosen it back up. Use your spade, work the soil to a depth of approximately 30cm to loosen it up. Any mulch or leaf litter that is well-composted should be mixed right in.

Next, add compost and any amendments you have on hand. You can use a soil test to see where you pH and nutrient levels are, which will tell you what type of materials you might want to add. If you have poor soil, it is especially important to add a healthy layer of compost to improve the soil’s texture, nutrient content, and moisture-retention. Then rake the soil level and water it lightly to help it settle and release air pockets.

Set up new planters and garden beds.

We can’t be the only ones that get a little over-excited this time of year, leaving Bunnings with every variety of plant under the sun, even though we don’t exactly have the space at home!

So, jump at the chance! Now is the time of year to build garden beds up, install window boxes and order new pots to ensure that you have enough space to showcase all your gorgeous new plants. 

After all, Spring is the perfect time to plant just about anything. The warmth and light rainfall really help new plants to flourish before the dry, harsh summer days really set in.

Apply fertiliser .

Last but certainly not least, apply a good layer of fertiliser wherever you can! 

• Blood and bone and dynamic lifter are perfect for Australian natives. Just throw a handful over every four square metres. 

• Dig compost and manure through the veggie patch and soluble fertilisers to any veggies that you already have planted. 

• Potted plants will love liquid fertiliser for a quick boost and a dose of slow release fertiliser to keep them going. 

• Use specialist fertilisers for roses, citrus and orchids as they contain the particular nutrients these plants need.