Anyone with leaves in their garden has been warned to leave them be
You should avoid doing this one gardening task now(Image: Getty Images)
Households in the UK are being urged not to clear leaves from their gardens before April. As spring edges closer, people are now starting to head outside to prepare their outdoor spaces for the warmer months ahead.
But whilst gardeners may be tempted to start clearing and tidying their gardens, experts are warning homeowners of one job that you should wait until April to do. Households are being told to avoid clearing old leaves and debris from their gardens, as doing so too early can disrupt garden biodiversity, remove natural pest predators, and lead to higher pest populations come summer.
Emily Green, garden and home maintenance expert at Howarth Timber, explains the reasoning behind this and shares the gardening jobs that you can still do to get your garden spring-ready.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. And don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
“It is generally recommended to wait until late March or early April before clearing leaves and old plant material from the garden,” says Emily.
“This is because many beneficial insects such as ladybirds, ground beetles and solitary bees overwinter in stems and leaf litter, and disturbing them too early can disrupt the natural balance that helps control pests.
“Leaving this organic matter until early spring supports garden biodiversity and helps prevent slug populations from increasing in spring and summer by maintaining their natural predators.”
Households should avoid clearing leaves until late March or early April(Image: Getty Images)
Three garden tasks to get a head start on before late March:
Revive garden furniture
“Plastic furniture can usually be restored with a wash of warm, soapy water. Wooden pieces may need a gentle scrub followed by oil or protective stain to guard against moisture and UV damage,” says Emily.
“Fabric cushions and throws should also be cleaned and fully dried before use.”
Maintain garden tools
“Remove built-up soil from garden tools with a stiff brush, wash, dry and oil to prevent rust. Sharpen blades on secateurs, shears and loppers to ensure clean cuts that minimise plant stress and support healthy growth,” the expert says.
Start a compost heap
“Starting a compost heap now gives organic material time to break down into nutrient-rich compost ready for spring planting. Do this by layering green materials like vegetable scraps and grass clippings with brown materials such as leaves or shredded paper, keep it moist, and turn regularly,” Emily adds.
Comments are closed.