Spring Awakens: Essential Tips for the UK Gardener

As the UK shakes off winter’s chill, gardens begin to stir with new life. Spring is the perfect time to revive your outdoor space, planting fresh blooms and setting the stage for a lush, vibrant season. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, here’s what you need to know to make the most of spring gardening in the UK.

1. Preparing Your Garden for Spring

Before diving into planting, ensure your garden is in top shape:

• Clear Debris – Remove dead leaves, broken branches, and weeds to allow new growth.
• Feed Your Soil – Add compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil.
• Prune & Trim – Cut back perennials, shape shrubs, and remove any winter damage.
• Check for Pests – Slugs, snails, and aphids wake up in spring—keep an eye out!

2. What to Plant in Early Spring

The UK’s unpredictable weather means hardy plants thrive best in early spring. Here are some great choices:

Flowers

• Daffodils & Tulips – If you didn’t plant bulbs in autumn, potted ones can still be placed outside.
• Pansies & Violas – Bright and cheerful, they add early colour and withstand cool temperatures.
• Primroses & Forget-Me-Nots – Ideal for borders and containers, these resilient flowers thrive in spring.

Vegetables & Herbs

• Lettuce & Spinach – Fast-growing and perfect for cool spring conditions.
• Peas & Broad Beans – These can be sown directly outdoors as soon as the soil is workable.
• Chives & Parsley – Hardy herbs that flourish early in the season.

3. Mid-to-Late Spring Planting

As temperatures rise, you can introduce more tender plants to your garden.

Flowers

• Sweet Peas – A UK garden classic, perfect for trellises and fences.
• Lavender – Great for pollinators and adds a fragrant touch to borders.
• Geraniums & Petunias – Fantastic for containers and hanging baskets.

Vegetables & Fruits

• Tomatoes & Peppers – Start indoors, then transplant once frosts have passed.
• Carrots & Beetroot – These root crops can be directly sown into well-drained soil.
• Strawberries – Plant runners now for a sweet summer harvest.

4. Spring Lawn & Garden Maintenance

• Mow Your Lawn – Start with a high setting and lower gradually as the grass strengthens.
• Mulch & Feed Plants – A layer of mulch retains moisture and suppresses weeds.
• Install Supports – Use stakes and trellises for climbing plants before they grow too large.

5. Encouraging Wildlife

Spring is a crucial time for pollinators and garden wildlife:

• Plant nectar-rich flowers like foxgloves and bluebells.
• Put up bird feeders & baths to attract robins, blackbirds, and finches.
• Create a bee-friendly space by avoiding pesticides and planting wildflowers.

Final Thoughts

Spring is a time of renewal, and your garden is no exception. By preparing early, selecting the right plants, and caring for your outdoor space, you’ll enjoy a stunning display of colour and a bountiful harvest throughout the warmer months.

So, grab your gloves, dig in, and let your garden awaken to the beauty of spring!

Would you like me to include any specific plants or techniques for your garden?

ViA RHS

Gardening in March

Spring arrives

Spring usually starts to arrive across the country in March, and the longer days provide the opportunity for an increasing range of gardening tasks. It’s time to get busy preparing seed beds and sowing seed, and it’s your last chance to prune roses.

Top gardening jobs this month

Prune bush and climbing roses

These general tips for rose pruning will help you improve the health and lifespan of any rose.

Prune roses

Plant onion sets and shallots

Onions are such a versatile vegetable – they feature in so many recipes, and growing your own means you’ll always have them to hand.

Plant onions

Plant summer-flowering bulbs

Bulbs make a fine display planted in containers or borders and are one of the easiest and most rewarding garden plants to grow. Gladioli, lilies and Eucomis are great for adding summer interest.

Planting bulbs made easy

More jobs for this month

1. Lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials
2. Plant early potatoes
3. Mow the lawn on dry days (if needed)
4. Cut back herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses that have been left standing over winter
5. Keep a few dandelions in your garden to support early bees, particularly pantaloon bees
6. Start off dahlia tubers in pots or trays of damp peat-free compost
7. Prune Buddleja to a low framework of stems to encourage new flowering growth

© The Royal Horticultural Society 2025