Spring brings renewed energy to gardens across the country, making it the ideal moment to roll up your sleeves and get outdoors. As spring approaches, Dobbies Garden Centres is shining a light on the key tasks that will help gardens thrive in the months ahead. Whether you’re discovering gardening for the first time or already know your way around the potting shed, Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton, shares his expert guidance on how to refresh outdoor spaces and lay the groundwork for a successful year of growing.
Nigel’s spring gardening checklist includes:
Clean and prepare
Water collection
Planting and propagation
Lawncare
Grow your own
Container planting
Spring gardening must-haves
Clean and prepare
Nigel says that getting your garden ready for the growing season starts with a good clear out, and early spring is the perfect time to tackle the jobs that set everything else up for success. Nigel advises beginning with a general tidy, removing any lingering winter debris and clearing moss and algae from hard surfaces. Patios and paths can be freshened up with the help of a power washer or cleaning product such as Patio Magic, leaving outdoor spaces ready for the busiest time in the gardener’s calendar.
Attention can then turn to pruning, with spring marking the final window for a number of key plants. Nigel notes that now is the last chance to prune buddleia, lavender and roses before new growth begins. Autumn-fruiting raspberries should be cut back to ground level to encourage strong, healthy canes later in the year while soft fruit bushes benefit from being pruned into a goblet shape to improve air flow and cropping. Early spring is also the cut-off point for pruning top fruits like apple and pear trees, helping to maintain shape and support a productive harvest.
Beds and borders should also be refreshed at this time. Removing weeds and cutting back any tired winter growth helps make room for the season ahead, while a layer of mulch or organic compost can improve soil structure, retain moisture and give plants a nutrient boost. Nigel recommends mulching with Dobbies’ multi-purpose compost with John Innes – this is great for nutrients and also helps suppress weeds and protect plants from cold snaps. With frost still possible in early spring, Nigel suggests keeping an eye on the forecast and protecting more vulnerable plants with fleece if temperatures dip.
Water collection
Planning how to use water more efficiently is an important job to tick off in spring, before the warmer months place extra demand on the garden. Nigel explains that setting up rainwater harvesting now allows gardeners to take advantage of seasonal rainfall, helping to cut down on water use if summer turns hot and dry.
Water collection isn’t limited by space, and Nigel notes that almost any garden can get started. Sheds, greenhouses and even garages can all be used to harvest rainwater, provided they’re fitted with gutters and a downpipe that leads to ground level. By putting simple systems in place early, gardeners can build up a valuable supply of water ready for the peak growing season.
Collected rainwater is particularly beneficial for young plants as it’s naturally low in pH and free from the chemicals found in mains water. To help gardeners be more sustainable this season, Dobbies has expanded its range of great value water butts and rainwater collection products, making it easier than ever to find a solution that works for any outdoor space.
Planting and propagation
Spring may be best known for planting, but Nigel advises that success starts a step earlier with good soil preparation. Taking time to improve the soil before adding plants will pay off as the season progresses. Adding organic matter and fertiliser helps boost nutrients while clearing away weeds and debris gives new plants the best possible start.
Once beds are prepped, gardeners can begin introducing colour to their outdoor spaces. For instant impact, Nigel suggests choosing spring bedding plants such as pansies, primroses and violas, which can be mixed with potted bulbs to create bright, seasonal displays. Gardeners looking to plan ahead can also plant cottage garden plants, or herbaceous perennials, in spring, which will establish now and provide colour right through the season. Spring-flowering shrubs such as camellias, forsythias and magnolias can also be planted at this time, helping to add structure and shape to the garden. Alpine plants are another reliable option in early spring, offering early colour and resilience in cooler conditions.
Spring is also the ideal time to think ahead and start growing plants from seed. Nigel notes that propagating young plants early in the season gives them a head start before summer and can be a cost-effective way to fill the garden. Seeds can be sown in trays using seed compost and grown in a pop-up greenhouse, tunnel or even on a bright kitchen windowsill. Dobbies stocks a wide range of seed packs, making it easy for gardeners to plan their planting for the months ahead.
For summer interest, bulbs such as dahlias and begonias can be started off in pots indoors during early spring. Nigel recommends waiting until all risk of frost has passed before planting them out, helping ensure strong growth and a vibrant display later in the year.
Now is also a good time to think about climbing plants. Nigel recommends putting supports such as trellises in place early, before plants get established. Installing supports now helps guide new growth as it appears, and avoids disturbing roots later in the season.
Lawncare
Nigel says that spring is the time to focus on setting your lawn up for healthy growth through the rest of the year but explains that temperature is key, as grass won’t start growing until conditions are right. Nigel recommends waiting until temperatures are consistently above 5-7 degrees before carrying out major lawn tasks, which is typically towards the end of March, although this can vary depending on where you live.
For those planning to sow a new lawn or repair bare patches, early spring can be a good opportunity once conditions allow. Preparing the ground properly is essential, starting with clearing debris and cultivating the soil before levelling and firming the surface. Nigel also notes that gardeners can now pick up grass seed designed to germinate at lower temperatures from Dobbies, making it a practical option for earlier sowing in spring.
Spring is also a good time to improve lawn health by addressing drainage and soil compaction. Spiking or aerating the lawn can help water and nutrients reach the roots more effectively, encouraging stronger growth. Applying a lawn builder or grass feed at this stage will further support a more lush, green lawn as the season progresses.
When it comes to the first mow of the year, Nigel advises patience. There’s no fixed date, and mowing should only take place once grass is actively growing and all risk of frost has passed. The first cut should always be light, with mower blades set to their highest setting, and carried out on a dry day to avoid damaging the lawn.
Grow your own
Nigel notes that spring is an exciting time to grow your own, with plenty of crops ready to be started now for a summer harvest. Nigel explains that early sowing gives plants a good head start, particularly when seeds are started under cover. Tomatoes and chillies can be sown indoors in a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill, alongside crops such as broad beans, peas and kale, which all benefit from being started early in the season.
Herbs are also well suited to spring sowing, with many varieties thriving when grown on a windowsill or in a greenhouse before being moved outdoors later in the year. For gardeners keen to see quick results, fast-growing salad crops are an ideal choice, providing harvests in a short space of time.
Spring is also the right moment to prepare the ground for key crops such as potatoes, garlic and onions. Nigel recommends chitting seed potatoes by placing them in trays in a light, frost-free place to encourage shoots, helping to produce an earlier crop once planted out. Soft fruits, including strawberries, can be planted now either in the ground or containers, ready to produce fruit through the summer months.
For those looking to harvest even earlier, Nigel notes that rhubarb can be forced at this time of year. Using a rhubarb forcer, or even an upturned bucket or dustbin, creates dark conditions that encourage tender, sweeter stems ahead of the main growing season.
Container planting
Container planting is an easy way to bring spring colour to any garden, or small space such as patios, balconies or doorsteps. Nigel explains that spring is the ideal time to refresh tired pots, hanging baskets and window boxes, giving them a new lease of life for the months ahead. It’s also a great opportunity to add personality to your space by choosing colourful pots and creating a colour scheme you love, helping containers feel like a real extension of your garden.
A mix of reliable spring favourites works well in containers at this time of year. Pansies, violas and primroses provide instant colour, while plants such as dianthus and senetti add structure and longevity, carrying displays through spring and into early summer. Alpine plants are another great option for spring planters, with varieties like Aubretia and Saxifrage offering both colour and resilience in cooler conditions.
Early spring is also the perfect opportunity to plant any bulbs that weren’t planted out in autumn. Nigel notes that potted bulbs are ideal for containers, allowing gardeners to easily add interest and move displays around as they come into flower. Dobbies offers a wide range of potted bulbs and spring plants, making it easy to update containers and enjoy a vibrant display from the very start of the season.
To finish the look, Nigel suggests having fun with garden decorations such as topiary characters or ornaments, which can add character and personality to gardens. Dobbies offers a wide range of potted bulbs, plants and decorative accessories, making it easy to update containers and enjoy a vibrant display from the very start of the season.
For more spring gardening advice, and to find your nearest Dobbies store, visit www.dobbies.com.
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