With Christmas fast approaching us the general pace of work in the garden is much more relaxed as there is a lot less urgency for jobs to be completed now. Many people think that there is nothing to do in December but you’d be surprised! It’s a great time for pruning woody ornamental plants, fruit trees and bushes because they are in their dormant period. Now that the leaves have almost finished dropping you can really see what you’re doing and can check to see if there is any dead or diseased wood to prune out. Don’t prune your Cornus (Dogwoods) though because their stem colour gives us some striking winter interest for our gardens.
Keep clearing any fallen leaves and save for leaf mould. Even though there are fewer garden pests and diseases around at this time of year keeping one step ahead of your garden hygiene – even in December – will reduce pest and disease problems in the spring and summer. If you find anything diseased you should really burn it rather than putting it in the compost heap. Remember too to leave a few areas undisturbed for overwintering beneficial insects like ladybirds.
Greenhouse and cold frame hygiene is also high on the list this month as the moist atmosphere is a perfect breeding ground for moulds and other diseases. Insulating your greenhouse or cold frame with bubble wrap will conserve heat for those overwintering plants you’ve brought in or if you’re getting ahead with any newly sewn seeds for next year.
You’ll find that whenever you’re out and about in the garden this month you’re likely to be followed around by a Robin looking for worms or insects that you may have disturbed. Winter is a difficult time for birds, so don’t forget to feed them regularly and give them clean water to bathe as they do become quite dependent on you to survive especially in the deep cold of winter (if it happens this year! It's been super mild again so far.)
For those of you that don’t want to go out into the garden you could start to think about what you want to do with the garden next year. Make a list of any plants you want to move or divide, any new plants you want to buy or seeds you want to order. Consider the different parts of your garden – are there any parts you would like to change? Would you like to add something to it, take something away, change the shape of it, incorporate vegetable beds, perhaps?
Whatever you have in mind, don’t forget that Blue Daisy can help you shape your garden with and for you, whether it is designing all or part of it and if you're not sure what you could do don't forget we also do advice sessions. These involve an hour of Nicki's time talking about your garden with you, it's amazing the amount of information you can get in an hour...
December Garden Jobs
Start to prune your climbing roses - this is something that can be continued until February time
Protect the base of tender climbers and shrubs - straw is a good option
It's a great month to plant bare root trees and shrubs
Keep borders free of fallen leaves
Keep your garden birds fed and watered
Protect your container plants and pots - move them to a sheltered spot and if it's due to be really cold wrap up any terracotta pots with bubble wrap or similar to help prevent them from cracking
Prune shrubs and hedges while they're dormant
Keep an eye on any overwintering bulbs and corms for any signs of rot
November Gardens
November gardens can be a chilly place!
In early November you’ll still find some autumn coloured leaves on trees waiting to be blown off in a gust of wind. Late flowers like Chrysanthemums and Nerines and the odd Rose or Hesperantha still provide us with a little colour, and winter berries are hanging on until the birds eat them all! Later on the onset of winter will become more apparent in your November garden with low clouds bringing rain and fog and all round dampness. It may not be that cold but winds can make it feel colder and, of course, we’ll start to see more frequent evening frosts.
Tidying up is still high on the agenda in your November garden. With leaves still falling you can gather them up to make leaf mould for next year. Your lawn and most plants will suffer if leaves are not collected as they need all the sunlight they can get to stay healthy – if they’re not moved lying leaves can block out the light and in some cases covered plants will suffer from dieback. Also, clear away old stems and dead foliage to make everywhere look tidier; this also prevents slugs and snails settling it to a new home.
You’ll need to bring your non-frost-proof pots and tender plants inside if you don’t have a greenhouse or cold frame to insulate them. If they are too heavy to move wrap pots with hessian or bubble wrap and any plant pots you can move do so – huddle them all together near a house wall preferably south facing which will retain the sun’s warmth. Don’t forget to remove any saucers if you’ve not already done so and lift any pots off the ground by using decorative feet or similar; this provides better drainage and stops the plants getting waterlogged.
November is a great month to plant new trees, shrubs and roses and if you’ve been thinking about wanting to move any around your garden – now is the time. Remember any you do move will need to have as much soil kept on the roots as is possible and make sure they have a really good watering in and lots of organic mulch on the top. If they are large plants make sure you stake them and keep them well watered.
For something different consider converting part of your flower or pleasure garden into a productive area – if care is taken with the design and choice of vegetables they can look really lovely. It might seem like quite a big project but by doing it this month you will be ready for spring. Make sure you can get around all sides of your vegetable beds and that they’re no wider than 1.2m so you can reach everywhere without treading on the soil!
November Garden Jobs
Clear up and keep all fallen leaves for mulch
Get your tulip bulbs in the ground as soon as possible
Mow the lawn probably for the last time this year
Check trees and shrubs for damaged branches and remove them so they don’t get whipped off in high winds and cause damage to property or plants
Plant fruit trees
Lift and divide Rhubarb
Make sure you get your winter digging done so any coming frost can break down the clods and improve the structure
Lift and store Dahlias in a dry, frost-free place
Check fences and trellis and make sure they are sturdy to withstand any gales
Clear out bird boxes and remember to keep feeding the birds!
In terms of houseplants:
Make sure all houseplants are getting enough light as the light levels are reducing
Don’t overwater house plants as this can cause problems, so too can rapid temperature fluctuations – try and put them in an area where the temperature will be fairly static unlike for example, a conservatory or by the back door!
Central heating is a problem for plants, those with brown tips are suffering from dry conditions which means they need to be kept damper so mist them occasionally.
October Gardens
October gardens tend to see a drop in temperatures, night frosts and an increase of winds blowing the rich autumn-coloured leaves from trees. This month the growing season comes to a close but there are still plenty of jobs to be done in and around your October garden which frankly, is a busy place! There are still often flowers to give attention to, garden hygiene to get under control, crops to harvest and planning and planting for next year all to fit into your garden schedule.
Don’t worry about clearing every seed head or dying herb stems before winter sets in unless you want your garden to be super tidy, seed heads with frost or moisture from a misty start to the day can be very aesthetically pleasing as well as providing beneficial insects such as ladybirds and lacewings shelter to hibernate. Leaving spent seed heads and stems also gives some plants an added layer of protection through the cold and frosty months.
If you have established perennials that have been untouched for a number of years it’s a good idea to divide them now as they head into dormancy; it will give them new vigour and they’ll put on a better show for you next year. Geraniums and Japanese anemones are ideal to divide now, dig them up carefully and use two forks back to back to lever apart, do this a few times and then replant all the smaller plants not forgetting well-rotted compost or manure to help them along.
Sedums (Hylotelephium) are great for dividing now – simply cut all the growth off, dig them up and then using your spade divide the root into sections and replant. Remember to give them a good watering too! Destroy all leaves off your Hosta plants as they very quickly turn mushy and diseased, if you don’t destroy them the spores will over-winter in your garden. Don’t put them in your compost either; destroy them it’s the best way!
Very soon leaves will be everywhere so make the most of them, rake them up and store them either in a chicken wire container held in place using four stakes in the ground or in black bin bags. If you opt for bin bags make sure that the leaves are damp and that you punch your garden fork into the bag a few times to create air holes. Store them in a hidden corner in your garden and after a year the leaves will make a fantastic soil conditioner or mulch and after two years they make potting compost or top dressing for lawns after being sieved – all for free!
October garden jobs
Changing daylight hours will mean that you're up against it in terms of timings before the winter really hits us but this is often a beautiful time of year too with soft autumnal lighting and spectacular leaf colour to fill your senses.
Jobs for this month include:
Gather fallen leaves this month especially off your lawns as they need light to keep them green and healthy
Plant bulbs - except tulips, leave those until next month
Disinfect your greenhouse – before the cold weather comes!
Check your greenhouse heaters are working and insulate it if you’ll be over-wintering or getting spring/summer seeds off to a good start
If you have clay soil dig over and leave the clods to break down during the winter
Any other bare soil? Why not consider sowing some green manure seeds to enrich your soil for next year?
Continue to clear up the garden, burning anything that has signs of disease
Deadhead any plants that are still flowering
Gather and dry seeds to sow for next year
Finish pruning rambling roses and tie in new stems
Check and tie in plant shoots before the gales begin
Harvest fruit and store (apples and pears can be wrapped individually in newspaper)
Lift and store vegetables (carrots and beetroots store well laid flat in boxes of damp sand)
Keep gutters clear of leaves and debris especially those that supply your water butts
If you have a pond consider netting it to stop all the leaves blowing in - it’ll save you a not so nice job to do on a cold day!
September Gardens
During September you start to notice the nights beginning to draw in which always means less time to spend working, entertaining or just relaxing outdoors! That said though it’s still a good time to be doing jobs outside. It can also be a time for gales, so be prepared: ensure your plants, shrubs and trees are staked properly to avoid them getting damaged.
This is a great time to take cuttings from tender plants like fuchsias, harvest your fruit and veg, and go on, sprinkle a little TLC on your lawn!!
September is often considered ‘lawn care month’, a time when we reinvigorate them for next year by removing thatch, aerating and applying a top dressing. So, for those of you doing this for the first time here’s a quick guide how to do just that and have a fabulous lawn next year!
Removing Thatch
Thatch is basically moss and dead grass and by removing it, it increases air movement and drainage around your lawn which in turn helps to discourage the re-growth of moss. You can remove it either by using a rake or a powered scarifier. If you use a rake, beware it is hard work and pretty tough on your back. Be warned though, your lawn will look pretty awful after doing this but it won’t take long to recover!
Aerate
Your lawn needs to breathe and the more we walk on our lawns the more compacted it will become. All you need to do is push your garden fork into the ground about 6-7 inches deep and about 9 inches apart. This isn’t too bad a job (albeit a bit boring!) but if you have a big lawn you may want to consider hiring a machine to do this for you.
Top Dress
This job needs to be done as soon as you have aerated the lawn i.e. while the holes are still open. A tried and tested recipe is: three parts of sieved garden soil mixed with two parts of sharp sand and one part of garden compost.
Now sprinkle half - to a full inch of the mix onto the lawn and using a stiff brush or a broom spread it all over. This is to renew the upper soil layer. Again beware; your lawn will look really awful for a few weeks but the grass does grow though the soil again and will thank you for the TLC! Trust us!!
September Garden Jobs
As the nights start to draw in September usually sees gardeners working quick time to make the most of this super-busy month.
While there are still flowers to deadhead and plenty to harvest in the vegetable plot it is also a time of preparation. There are bulbs to plant to ensure a gorgeous display next spring. There are repairs to furniture and structures to do before the worst of the winter weather hits us. It's one of the busiest months in the gardeners' diary, and apart from looking after your lawn here are some other jobs to keep you going!
Make any repairs to the greenhouse that are needed
Remove dead or dying summer bedding plants
Remember to be vigilant about garden hygiene
Put a net over ponds to stop leaves falling into it (before they start falling!)
Shelter any tender plants and if possible bring them inside or put in cold frames to overwinter them
For a splash of colour this winter buy new plants from garden centres, nurseries or just ask Blue Daisy - we can get them for you.
(Although it will be too late for some plants) to encourage more flowers, continue dead-heading to make it look tidier
Buy or make a compost bin if you don't have one already
Complete or repair any garden constructions like fencing or refelting your shed roof before winter sets in to take its toll
Empty and clean water butts with a garden disinfectant.
August Gardens
The top priority for your August garden is usually to just sit back, relax and enjoy your garden and who are we to say anything otherwise? Go on, get out there and enjoy it before the weather changes for good!
Traditionally, this is the holiday month so if you are managing to be away this year remember to arrange for a neighbour/friends/family to pop round to keep an eye on plants for you. You’ll need to ask them to pick the fruit and veg that has ripened on any edible plants or it will spoil what is left still growing.
Containers and hanging baskets will need watering so consider drip feed irrigation systems if family and friends can't step in for you while you're away.
Indoor plants do need to be watered this time of year so if you can’t leave your key with anyone sink the pots in the soil in a shady area where they won’t dry out so quickly.
August can also bring with it lots of thunderstorms and heavy downpours which is great for cleaning the leaves of trees, shrubs and hostas and bringing the lawn back to it’s lush green colour. Make sure that your water butts are at the ready and delicate plants are supported to prevent possible damage.
August Garden Jobs
There have been some major growth spurts going on in our gardens this year and one of the biggest problems for gardeners is to make sure things don't get too much out of hand. As ever deadheading is the order of the day for August along with watering. Don't forget to try to water late afternoon or evening if possible, avoiding the heat of the day (although roses do prefer a morning drink!). Some summer pruning is also on the cards to help keep things under control along with the usual August jobs:
Check plants at least twice a week to check for infestation of bugs like aphids and red spider mite
Weed borders so plants aren’t competing for nutrients in the soil or water
Deadhead flowers regularly to encourage more flowers and to extend their flowering season
Consider saving bath and dish water for the garden (non-edibles)
Concentrate on watering newly planted trees, shrubs, window boxes and containers
Feed plants that require it
Remove the growing tip from greenhouse tomatoes to encourage fruit growth
Start thinking about planting bulbs for Christmas displays (yes, I really did mention the C-word!!)
Protect dahlias from earwigs
Check if repairs to the greenhouse or shed are needed before autumn sets in
Water and feed house plants remembering to clean the foliage
Cut sweet peas as soon as they flower to encourage more and to prevent seed pods forming
Trim hedges at the end of the month it should hopefully be the last time they'll need it this year
Harvest fruit and veg as necessary
Make sure bird baths have fresh clean water every day
Water levels in ponds may have evaporated so top up to ensure the fish don’t die
Remember if you do have to garden while the sun is out protect yourself adequately with sun screen, a hat and drink plenty of water!
July Gardens
July is often one of the fullest months in the garden. Borders are usually bursting, many perennials are at their peak and, after months of watching everything gradually come together, it's often the time when it’s finally possible to enjoy the results of all the work that began back in spring.
This year, though, many gardens are approaching July looking rather different to usual.
Following an exceptionally warm, dry spring and England's warmest June on record, many of us have already spent more time watering than we'd normally expect by this stage of the year. Containers have needed regular attention, some lawns have started to lose their colour and newly planted areas may already be showing signs of stress. At the same time, other plants will have quietly carried on regardless. And let’s not forget the soil too; it is being tested equally as hard as our plants.
Rather than seeing this as just another dry spell to get through though, it's worth considering what – if anything – your garden might be trying to tell you!
Updated for July 2026
What is your garden teaching you?
Seasonal changes always tend to reveal something about a garden, but periods of unusual weather often expose things more than a typical year ever could. For instance, some plants might appear to be really struggling with the warm, dry conditions while others seem to be coping well, and in some cases, it might not be what you were expecting at all. Different parts of the garden might be drying out much more quickly than others, too.
These are all useful things to know because if the hot weather is expected to become the norm, as some experts suggest, then that knowledge helps to identify where planting might be well suited to its position, or where conditions are more likely to prove challenging, and even where potential changes could perhaps make the garden more resilient in future years.
But for now…
If the dry weather continues…
If July remains warm and dry, it makes sense to focus your efforts where they're likely to have the greatest impact. Newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials for instance, are likely to need more attention than more established planting, while containers will usually continue to dry out much more quickly than garden borders.
If you're relying heavily on mains water already, this may also be the moment to start thinking beyond this summer. Would additional water storage make life easier next year? Could a water butt be added to another downpipe? Are there areas of the garden that consistently need far more watering than others?
They're not all questions that need answering immediately, but they are questions well worth considering while we’re actually living through the experience.
If the weather changes…
If July turns wet though which, let’s face it, wouldn’t be a complete surprise for July in the UK, trying to make the most of the rainfall and managing excess might well become the dominant drivers of your garden work.
With the ground being so hard there’s a good chance that rainfall might not permeate the top level of soil so if you know it’s due, it might be worth trying to break the crust of packed border soil to help the water get to roots.
Heat-stressed plant roots can struggle if dry ground suddenly floods though, so helping the water filter through the soil can be just as useful as helping it get beyond the surface level. Try getting a garden fork fairly deeply into the soil to create drainage holes, especially around any plants where the water pools.
After rain it’s always worth digging a few inches down into the soil to check how far the water reached. It can be tempting to think that some rain will have done the watering for you but the ground can remain surprisingly dry after rainfall, and if that is the case then your watering regime may need to continue.
Looking ahead
Whether July turns out wet or dry, 2026 is already proving to be an interesting gardening year! If you haven’t done it already, it’s worth taking a few photographs and/or making a note of anything out of the ordinary that might be happening in your garden. For instance, anything that surprises you, or delights you, or worries you, or sends you into despair (which unfortunately can happen too). The lessons of this month and year can help us prepare for the next.
July Garden Jobs
While every July is different, most gardens will benefit from regular attention rather than major intervention. The following jobs will help keep your garden looking its best through the height of summer.
Prioritise your watering
If July continues the recent dry weather, concentrate your efforts where they'll make the biggest difference.
Water newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials during prolonged dry spells.
Check containers and hanging baskets regularly, as they can dry out surprisingly quickly.
Water thoroughly rather than little and often.
If you've found yourself using the hosepipe far more than usual this year, consider whether additional rainwater storage would be worthwhile before next summer.
Keep an eye on local advice should hosepipe restrictions become a possibility later in the season
Top up organic mulches where they've broken down to help conserve soil moisture
Keep an eye on your planting
July is one of the easiest months to see how well your planting is performing.
Deadhead repeat-flowering perennials and roses.
Support taller plants before they begin to lean or collapse.
Tie in climbing plants as they continue to grow.
Remove any tired foliage where appropriate.
Make a note of plants that have coped particularly well with this year's conditions, and those that haven't.
Learn from your garden
Photograph borders while they're looking their fullest.
Make a note of any gaps that appear once early-flowering plants finish.
Record combinations that have worked particularly well.
If certain plants have struggled repeatedly during the dry weather, consider whether they're suited to that position or whether a different choice might perform more reliably.
Harvest and enjoy
Harvest fruit and vegetables regularly.
Pick flowers for the house when you can - bring the garden indoors!
Continue harvesting herbs.
Spend some time just enjoying the garden and noticing how it changes through the month.
Greenhouse
Ventilate well during warm weather.
Provide shading where necessary.
Water greenhouse plants consistently.
Check regularly for pests.
Wildlife
Keep bird baths topped up with fresh water.
Check ponds during prolonged dry spells.
Leave areas of the garden undisturbed where wildlife is sheltering from the heat.
Continue encouraging beneficial insects by providing habitats and a variety of flowering plants.
Around the garden
Hoe borders regularly to keep weeds under control.
Raise mowing heights if the lawn is becoming dry.
Trim hedges once you're satisfied there are no active bird nests.
Check tree ties and stakes on recently planted trees.
One final thought…
While no two years are ever the same, warmer temperatures and more frequent weather extremes mean that seasons like this may become less unusual in the future. Which means, of course, that any lessons we can learn from our own gardens this year could turn out to be really valuable in the years ahead.
June is, for many of us, when a garden really begins to pay us back for all of the effort that has gone into it over the previous months. It adds to the promise of May; borders are filling out, many perennials are now flowering freely and shrubs are carrying fresh, healthy growth. It's also the point where planting combinations start to give hints of what’s to come.
This year, after a particularly dry spring, many gardens are already feeling the effects of reduced rainfall. So, depending on where you are, you may find yourself watering more often than you would expect at this stage of the year, particularly newly planted borders and containers.
Updated for June 2026
Often by June, much of a garden’s planting is already in place so attention usually shifts slightly from encouraging new growth, towards guiding and maintaining planting as it develops through the summer. A little attention now – whether that's supporting taller plants before they lean, keeping on top of weeds or watering during dry spells – will help your garden continue looking its best throughout the summer.
Supporting healthy growth
We love June because everything seems to burst with life. It’s a month when many herbaceous perennials experience growth spurts and, given half a chance, some will happily try to take over the world – which can be problematic for neighbouring plants. To avoid that spill over, try getting supports in for taller plants before they start flopping. It helps maintain a more natural aesthetic – it allows the shape of the plant to evolve much more naturally – and usually results in the supports ‘disappearing’ amongst the foliage too.
It's also still not too late to carry out the Chelsea Chop on suitable late-flowering perennials if you'd like to stagger flowering or encourage a more compact habit. Early-flowering hardy geraniums can often be cut back after flowering too and will usually reward you with a fresh flush of foliage and, in many cases, a second display later in the summer.
Watering and caring for your planting
Warm weather, longer days and plenty of leafy growth all mean plants use considerably more water during June than they did earlier in the spring. If you don’t already have them, we think it’s well worth installing as many water butts as your budget, and garden allows! Using rainwater from butts can help reduce demand for tap water and is arguably better for plants since it lacks the minerals and chemicals often associated with tap water.
Rather than watering little and often, it's usually better to water thoroughly when plants need it. This generally encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil. Containers are the exception to this ‘rule’ though. Compost dries out much more quickly than garden soil, so it's worth checking pots regularly, particularly during warm or windy weather.
While you're watering, it's a good opportunity to check out the planting. June is a great month to see which plant combinations are really working well and importantly, which aren’t. You can start to see the ‘bullies’ and you can usually spot gaps starting to appear in June too so it can really help you stay ahead if you can spot things early.
Keeping displays looking their best
Deadheading repeat-flowering perennials and roses as flowers fade helps encourage further flowers and keeps borders looking fresher for longer.
Climbers will also appreciate a little attention at this time of year. Tying in new shoots while they're still flexible helps direct growth where you want it and allows plants to make the most of the support available.
Greenhouses and pests
Greenhouses, conservatories and sunny windowsills can become overly hot during June, so good ventilation becomes increasingly important. On particularly warm days, consider adding a little shading to help protect more sensitive plants from scorching.
June often brings with it a surge in pest activity. Slugs, snails, aphids and other insects are all easier to manage when spotted early, so regular walks around the garden often pay dividends before small problems become larger ones!
June Garden Jobs
All in all, June is a month of strong growth, which means a little regular maintenance can often go much further than the occasional larger job. ‘Keeping on top of things’ is generally the order of the day and if you can do that it can help your garden continue to perform well throughout the weeks ahead.
Looking after your planting
Deadhead repeat-flowering perennials and roses to encourage further blooms.
Support taller herbaceous perennials before they begin to lean.
Carry out the Chelsea Chop on suitable late-flowering perennials if you haven't already.
Cut back early-flowering hardy geraniums after flowering to encourage fresh growth and, in many cases, a second flush of flowers.
Hoe borders regularly to reduce weed competition while weeds are still small.
Tie in new growth on climbing plants.
Watering
Water borders thoroughly during prolonged dry spells rather than little and often.
Check containers regularly, as compost can dry out surprisingly quickly.
Keep newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials well-watered while they establish.
Install water butts if you can
Greenhouse care
Increase ventilation on warm days.
Provide shading where necessary to protect more sensitive plants.
Continue checking regularly for pests and diseases.
Lawns
Raise mowing heights during dry weather to help keep lawns healthier.
Continue mowing regularly as growth allows.
Fruit and vegetables
Harvest vegetables as they become ready.
Continue sowing suitable crops for later harvests.
Place supports where required before plants become too large to manage easily.
Looking Ahead
June is a great month for evaluating your planting and ‘adjusting’ where necessary – filling gaps, taming bullies and supporting plants where needed. It’s also when those little and often maintenance tasks really begin to show dividends. Making a few small adjustments now, is a great way to keep borders looking full, balanced and gorgeous for the rest of the summer.
May is often when gardens begin to reveal the direction they'll take for the rest of the year. Spring bulbs are still providing colour, herbaceous perennials are gathering momentum and shrubs are putting on fresh growth, making it much easier to appreciate how the different layers of planting are beginning to work together.
With so much happening at once, May is also one of the busiest months in the gardening calendar so there are plenty of May gardening jobs to be thinking about. A little timely attention now – from supporting emerging growth to keeping weeds in check – will help your garden continue to develop well into summer.
Updated for May 2026
Late frosts can still catch us out
Although May usually feels like the start of summer, the occasional late frost can still catch gardeners by surprise. Tender perennials and soft new growth are particularly vulnerable, so it's worth keeping an eye on the forecast before packing away the fleece completely.
Fresh hosta shoots are especially susceptible to frost damage, while newly emerging foliage on other herbaceous perennials may also benefit from a little temporary protection on colder nights.
Tulips and spring bulbs
Tulips are usually at their best during May, bringing colour and structure to borders and containers.
Tulips, and other bulbs, often provide an important bridge between spring and early summer planting. Allowing the foliage to die back naturally helps replenish the bulbs, ensuring strong displays in future years and supporting long-term seasonal interest.
Lawns begin growing quickly
Grass growth usually accelerates during May, meaning many lawns benefit from more frequent mowing. Avoid cutting too short, particularly during dry spells, as slightly longer grass generally stays healthier and provides an attractive backdrop to surrounding planting.
If bulbs are naturalised in the lawn, avoid mowing until the foliage has yellowed.
Containers and pots
As spring planting begins to fade, refresh containers with carefully chosen perennials, herbs or compact shrubs that provide interest over a much longer season. Regular watering becomes increasingly important at this time of year, particularly during warm or windy weather when compost can dry out surprisingly quickly.
May garden jobs
Planting and borders
Protect tender plants if frost is forecast.
Harden off hanging baskets and bedding plants before planting outside.
Stake tall or floppy perennials before they need it.
Deadhead flowers regularly.
Lift tulip bulbs once foliage has died back (if you routinely lift them).
Keep weeds under control.
Fruit and vegetables
Sow vegetables every couple of weeks for continuous crops.
Thin seedlings.
Place straw beneath strawberries.
Protect carrots from carrot fly.
Keep crops well watered during dry spells.
Lawn care
Mow regularly on a higher setting.
Scarify areas affected by moss if conditions are suitable.
Delay mowing over naturalised bulbs until foliage has died back.
Greenhouse
Increase ventilation during warm days.
Check regularly for aphids, whitefly and other pests.
Water consistently as temperatures rise.
Looking Ahead
The work you put into your garden during May pays dividends throughout summer. By keeping on top of maintenance now, supporting vigorous new growth and dealing with weeds early, you'll spend less time firefighting later and more time enjoying your garden as it reaches its peak.
April often feels like the moment the garden properly wakes up.
This year in particular, the early rain has really helped things along - there’s a freshness and fullness to the growth that’s hard to miss. Primroses are looking especially good, and with the moisture we’ve had, blossom is expected to be really strong too.
There’s a noticeable shift during April - spring bulbs are out in force, leaves are unfurling, and trees are beginning to emerge and soften with blossom. It’s not just visual either… there’s sound and movement returning too, with birds, insects and early bees beginning to reappear.
Updated for April 2026
It’s an exciting month, but that said, temperatures are still a little unpredictable. A few warm days can quickly be followed by a drop again, so it’s worth balancing our enthusiasm with a bit of patience!
A moment for observation (before everything speeds up)
Last month was all about preparation and early movement - and April builds on that, but with a bit more urgency creeping in.
It’s worth taking a moment to notice what’s doing well in your garden right now:
Where colour is naturally emerging
Where things still feel a little bare
How the garden is beginning to connect visually again after winter
This is often where design ideas can quietly reveal themselves - repetition, gaps, balance - all much easier to see now than at any other time of year.
Frosts, seedlings and not rushing ahead
It’s very tempting to get going with tender plants and seedlings now - and if you're like us you probably already have.
Just keep in mind that frosts can still catch you out, so if you are moving things outside:
Keep horticultural fleece (or even newspaper) handy for colder nights
Bring containers back in if needed
Avoid planting anything too tender straight into the ground just yet
A bit of caution now can save a lot of disappointment later.
Scent and seasonal interest
April is one of those months where scent can really lift a space.
If your garden feels a little flat at this time of year though, it might be worth introducing something specifically for spring fragrance. For instance, consider plants such as:
Viburnum
Philadelphus
Wisteria
Magnolia
Just a note of caution on these plants; please bear in mind that not all varieties are scented, so it's worth checking before buying!
Productive gardens: an early rhythm
If you’re growing your own, April can suddenly feel quite busy.
Soil preparation, warming beds, sowing, potting on - it all starts to gather pace.
The main thing to keep in mind is succession. So, rather than sowing everything at once (and ending up with the inevitable courgette overload…), it can help to sow little and often every couple of weeks. It keeps things manageable and gives you a steadier supply later on.
Garden jobs for April
Planting and propagation
Divide perennials you didn’t get to last month and replant to build up your borders
Lift and reposition self-seeded plants like foxgloves and aquilegias
Sow hardy annuals
Sow sweet peas (last chance if you’d like them this year)
Pot on seedlings to prevent them becoming leggy
Plant up dahlia tubers and keep them frost-free
Borders and general maintenance
Keep on top of weeding - annuals are easy now, perennials need digging out
Stake taller perennials early before they get unruly
Continue checking for pests like slugs, snails and vine weevil
Start using biological controls where needed
Lawns and edges
Begin regular mowing
First cut high
Gradually lower over the month
Avoid cutting too low too early (frost damage risk)
Redefine lawn edges - it makes a surprising difference overall
Seasonal care and protection
Keep an eye on watering containers if we get dry spells
Protect tender plants from late frosts
Looking ahead…
As April moves on, everything will start to accelerate - growth, colour, and maintenance.
It’s a good month for staying on top of things in a relaxed manner rather than trying to do everything at once. A bit of consistency now can make May feel far more manageable!
Gardening in March: what to do in the garden this month
Early spring really begins to gather pace in March. The days are noticeably longer, the sun starts to carry a little warmth and gardens slowly begin to wake from winter.
Early bulbs such as crocus, snowdrops and the first daffodils start brightening up our borders and generally making us smile. Lawns begin to stir back into growth and shrubs start showing the first signs of fresh shoots.
The weather can still be a little unpredictable though. Bright, mild days can quickly be followed by sharp frosts, so it’s wise to keep protective fleece handy for any tender plants and avoid moving overwintered plants out too early.
March is often a month of preparation as much as action. A little steady attention now — tidying borders, improving soil and getting ahead of weeds — makes the busy spring weeks that follow feel much easier to manage.
Updated for March 2026
Preparing the garden for spring growth
As the soil begins to warm, weeds will start to germinate quickly. Light hoeing on dry days is one of the easiest ways to keep them under control before they establish themselves. Any perennial weeds are best dug out now while the soil is still relatively open and workable.
Applying mulch to beds and borders is also particularly worthwhile at this time of year. A generous layer of organic matter helps retain soil moisture, improves soil structure and suppresses many of the weeds that would otherwise appear as temperatures rise.
Pruning and seasonal care
Many shrubs benefit from attention in March before the growing season gathers pace.
If roses were not pruned in the autumn, this is usually the final opportunity to do so before new growth becomes too established. Cutting back now helps maintain a good framework and encourages strong flowering later in the season.
Shrubs grown for colourful winter stems, such as dogwoods and willows, can also be cut back now. Pruning them annually encourages the fresh young stems that provide the best colour displays in autumn and winter.
Keeping an eye on pests and diseases
As temperatures increase, pests and diseases begin to become more active in the garden.
Regular observation is often the most effective approach. Slugs and snails, for example, become increasingly active as young shoots appear. Gardeners who prefer a non-chemical approach sometimes use biological controls such as nematodes, which can be watered into the soil to help manage slug populations.
In greenhouses or sheltered growing spaces, rising temperatures can also encourage aphids, whitefly and red spider mite. Keeping a watchful eye early in the season allows problems to be addressed before they become more widespread.
Garden jobs to do in March
Borders, perennials and planting
March is a good month to tidy and rejuvenate planting areas before spring growth accelerates.
Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of perennials to encourage stronger growth and create new plants for other areas of the garden
Divide established herbs such as chives to encourage fresh growth
Prune winter-flowering heathers once flowering has finished, removing spent flowers without cutting into old woody growth
Mulch beds and borders with organic matter to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Weed control and soil preparation
As soil temperatures begin to rise, weeds quickly start to germinate.
Hoe emerging weeds regularly on dry days to prevent them establishing
Dig out perennial weeds before they become well established
Prepare vegetable seed beds by removing weeds and improving soil structure with compost or organic matter
Lawns
Lawns usually begin growing again this month as temperatures slowly increase.
Lightly scarify lawns if this was not done in the autumn
Begin mowing again using a high mower setting for the first few cuts
Towards the end of the month, lay new turf or sow lawn seed as conditions allow
Vegetables and seed sowing
March is an important month for getting early crops started.
Plant early varieties of potatoes
Sow suitable vegetable and flower seeds this month, either indoors or directly outside depending on the plant and weather conditions
Containers and houseplants
Container plants also begin to respond to the longer daylight hours.
Refresh containers with fresh compost or top dress with new compost if plants are remaining in the same pot
Gradually increase watering for houseplants as growth begins to pick up, allowing compost to dry slightly between watering
Looking ahead
By the end of March we often find the garden feels noticeably different to just a few weeks earlier. Bulbs are flowering, lawns are beginning to grow and new shoots are appearing across borders. A little preparation now can really help everything settle well into the busy spring weeks ahead.
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