Alan Titchmarsh has revealed one simple task gardeners need to do before planting new flowers or shrubs this spring. The garden expert shares many tips that have helped gardeners across the country.
Spring is a time when many of us return to our open spaces to get to work ahead of summer. Bulbs and flowers are starting to grow, and the leaves are returning to the trees. Many gardeners have garden beds, which can showcase beautiful blooms and add colour.
They can be a focal point in the garden, with many gardeners opting for annual plants. These complete their entire life cycle in one growing season or year.
It means that now we are into a new year, the beds will be empty. However, before rushing out to grab more plants to replace them, Alan says you must pay attention to the soil.
After removing the plants you no longer want in your beds, Alan urges gardeners to dig out the roots. He said: “You will find that in spite of having got all your individual clumps up, the ground itself, will be riddled with roots.”
Alan advised: “Now these need to come out.” In his Gardening Alan Titchmarsh video, Alan used a garden fork to dig through his bed.
He said you need to use the fork like a sieve to “prise out” the roots. Alan added: “It’s not vital that they all come out because they are not going to reshoot. But just to clean it up.”
Once most of the roots had been removed from his garden bed, Alan went over the top with soil improver. “Don’t just give it a little sprinkling,” Alan said. “Be generous.”
The garden expert said one bag would do for a garden bed, and recommended spreading out the soil if it fell out in big clumps.
One follower has already taken Alan’s advise as they said: “I did this a couple of weeks ago. Very satisfying and makes the beds/borders ping.”
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