The former royal employee says there’s no shortage of gardening tasks you can be getting on with to ensure your garden is ready for summer – and one surprising item can help significantlyThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
King Charles’ former gardener is sharing some of his top tips(Image: Chris Jackson, Getty Images)
With Britain’s weather finally improving and the initial hints of spring emerging, countless homeowners are wondering which gardening jobs they should tackle now to guarantee vibrant outdoor spaces by summertime.
Fortunately, we’ve got precisely the solution. Jack Stooks, who previously served as King Charles’s royal gardener, has shared some of his most crucial gardening recommendations for this period.
He highlights there’s an abundance of jobs you can be cracking on with in the lead-up to summer to ensure your garden prospers and is primed for guaranteed success.
Former royal gardener Jack has additionally revealed the unexpected kitchen staple you can employ in your garden whilst temperatures remain rather cool to stimulate growth.
Jack Stooks was King Charles’s gardener for 21 years at Highgrove House(Image: Instagram)
From which plants need bedding in straight away, to vital guidance for keeping your lawn in top condition and the surprising culinary ingredient that can offer remarkable advantages for outdoor areas, Jack, speaking through coffee bean supplier Coffee Friend, has mapped out how keen gardeners can secure a thriving sanctuary by the time glorious weather makes its full return, reports the Express.
Unexpected kitchen staple ideal for mulch and compost
Jack possesses an ingenious strategy. King Charles’s former royal gardener of 21 years says: “Don’t bin your coffee grounds. Put them to good use in your garden [especially] during the colder months.
“One of the easiest ways is to add them to your compost. Composting turns organic waste into nutrient-rich soil that boosts the structure and fertility. Coffee adds nitrogen, which is a key nutrient for healthy plant growth, and it also helps speed up the decomposition process.”
These essential tasks will set your garden up for success(Image: Getty)
But that’s not the sole purpose for this everyday kitchen leftover you’d normally bin.
The horticultural specialist shares: “You can also use coffee grounds as a mulch, which is a layer of material placed on top of the soil to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Simply sprinkle the coffee grounds around the base of your plants, or mix them into an existing mulch layer.”
Get those spring bulbs in the ground immediately
If your bulbs remain unplanted, the moment has arrived, according to King Charles’s former head gardener who maintained the Highgrove House Gardens for more than 20 years.
“Late daffodils and other spring bulbs need to go in the ground soon to ensure they bloom beautifully for the spring,” says Jack.
He continues: “Another top pick for a winter garden is bare-root roses. They make a beautiful gift, too, as they just keep on giving. They produce summer flowers year after year, so it’s a beautiful and long-lasting present for someone special or your own garden to enjoy.”
Whilst the optimal window for planting bare-root roses falls during their dormant winter period, there’s still sufficient time to get them established for spectacular summer blooms. Plants can still flourish after winter – don’t lose faith.
The former senior gardener at Highgrove House advises: “You could always trim back anything that you think is clearly dead, but take care, as plants can sometimes regrow from parts that look lifeless.”
Lawn mowing should be left alone till spring is in full force(Image: Getty)
“If by late spring there is still no sign of life, it’s safe to assume the plant hasn’t survived the winter. At that point, remove it and replace it with the same plant or something hardier. Wait a little before cutting so you don’t accidentally discard a plant that could still bounce back,” warns Jack.
Hold off on lawn care until spring arrives
According to Jack, leaving your lawns untouched until spring properly arrives is the best approach.
Jack says: “When it comes to lawns, winter is not the ideal time to carry out any gardening or maintenance. The cold temperatures, frost, and wet conditions can make the grass more vulnerable to damage. Walking on or cutting the lawn during this period can compact the soil, harm the roots, and leave the grass more susceptible to disease.”
“Leave it until the spring to mow. The sun will hopefully be shining again and the plants will be coming back to life,” recommends Jack.
Therefore, it might be wise to prepare yourself, as those bright lawn-mowing and upkeep days are rapidly approaching.
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