Gardening Tips | heywoodinbloom

Gardening Tips, Month by Month

From January to December there is always something you can be doing in the Garden, and here we have listed just some of the tasks you might want to do, and when to do them.

Gardening Tips for January

Check trees and shrubs: Examine tree stakes and ties, tightening or replacing them as needed.
Firm back soil around any plants that have been lifted by frost.
Keep greenhouse and shed gutters clear of leaves to prevent blockages.
Collect leaves for compost or leaf mold, and clear spent annuals to prevent pests from overwintering.
Clean pots and seed trays ready for the new season.
Sharpen tools and do a stocktake of what you need for the next year.
Plant spring bulbs now if you haven't already.
Keep bird feeders topped up and provide fresh water, especially in freezing conditions.

Gardening Tips for February

Sow seeds indoors for tomatoes, peppers, chillies, cucumbers, and sweet peas for an early start.
Plant any late-arriving spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils now.
Trim deciduous hedges and prune summer-flowering shrubs (like Buddleja, Hydrangea paniculata) before nesting starts.
Prune apple, pear, and other fruit trees.
Rake up leaves and organic matter from lawns, shred woody prunings for compost, and clear old foliage from beds.
Apply mulch to beds to suppress early weeds and keep soil warmer.
Turn over soil in empty flowerbeds to prepare for planting.
Consider testing soil PH and nutrients.

Gardening tips for March

Prune bush and climbing roses to encourage healthy new shoots and abundant flowers.
Plant onion sets and shallots in well-drained soil.
Plant summer-flowering bulbs such as lilies and alliums to add colour and interest later in the season.
Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of perennials to improve their health and create new plants.
Plant chitted early potatoes towards the end of the month.
Start dahlia tubers in pots or trays in a frost-free greenhouse or indoors to give them an early start before planting out later in spring.
Cut back old growth from herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses before fresh shoots emerge.
Sow hardy vegetables such as peas, broad beans, spinach, carrots, and parsnips when the soil is workable.
Prepare flower beds and vegetable plots by removing weeds and incorporating compost or well-rotted manure.
Watch the weather forecast and protect tender new growth from late frosts.

Gardening tips for April

Clean your greenhouse with hot soapy water to remove pests and maximise light.
Prepare beds by digging in compost or well-rotted manure.
Feed trees, shrubs and roses with a balanced slow-release fertiliser.
Lift and divide overcrowded perennials such as hostas.
Tie in climbing roses, clematis and honeysuckle as new growth appears.
Pinch out sweet peas and fuchsias to encourage bushier plants.
Deadhead daffodils and tulips, leaving foliage to die back naturally.
Prune spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia after flowering.
Check stakes and ties on young trees and loosen if necessary.
Apply a mulch of compost or manure around beds and borders.

Gardening Tips for May.

Sow seeds directly outdoors: French beans, runner beans, squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, and sweetcorn.
Plant out hardy seedlings: Once the risk of frost has passed, plant out hardened-off vegetables.
Plant summer-flowering bulbs: Eucomis and Nerine can be planted outside this month.
Plant strawberry runners: May is your last opportunity to plant strawberry runners for a chance of a crop this year.
Water plants in the morning (slugs and snails are nocturnal and drawn to the surface by evening watering)

Gardening tips for June

Plant out bedding plants, tender vegetables and herbs, and fruit trees and bushes.
Start harvesting early crops like peas, new potatoes, and strawberries.
Regularly water plants, especially in containers, and mow lawns.
Prune spring-flowering shrubs and deadhead roses and other plants to encourage further blooms.
Hoe regularly to control weeds, especially in borders.
Keep an eye out for pests like lily beetles and protect fruit trees from birds.
Ensure good ventilation in greenhouses.
Re-use compost and add it to beds and pots.

Gardening tips for July

Keep flowering plants looking good by regularly deadheading.
Make sure you keep new plants watered, using rain water from butts where possible.
Check clematis for signs of clematis wilt.
Pick courgettes before they become marrows.
Start picking tomatoes as they ripen, continuing to remove side-shoots and feed and water the plants.
Clear algae, blanket weeds and debris from ponds, and keep them topped up.
Don't worry if your lawn goes brown, as it will soon bounce back when we have rain.

Gardening tips for August

Prune Wisteria - Wisteria needs regular pruning to keep the growth and size under control, but it will also improve the flowering display.
Summer prune trained apples and pears - Summer pruning is mainly for apples and pears trained as cordons, espaliers, fans, pyramids and stepovers. It allows sunlight to ripen the fruit and ensures good cropping next year.
Deadhead flowering plants regularly.
Water containers and new plants, preferably with grey recycled water or stored rainwater.
Collect seed from garden plants.
Lift and pot up rooted strawberry runners.
Keep ponds and water features topped up.

Gardening tips for September

Plant spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths ready for a colourful display next spring.
Harvest apples, pears and plums as they ripen, storing only undamaged fruit in a cool, dry place.
Deadhead late-flowering perennials and bedding plants to encourage continued blooms for as long as possible.
Divide and replant overcrowded herbaceous perennials while the soil is still warm to establish strong roots before winter.
Scarify and aerate lawns, then overseed bare patches to keep grass healthy and lush.
Plant or move evergreen shrubs and conifers while the soil retains summer warmth, giving them time to establish before colder weather arrives.
Lift and store tender summer bulbs and tubers, such as dahlias and begonias, if frost is forecast in colder parts of the North of England.
Clear spent vegetable crops and add healthy plant material to the compost heap, leaving beds tidy for autumn planting.
Reduce feeding of houseplants and begin bringing tender patio plants indoors or into a greenhouse before the first frosts.
Keep ponds free from falling leaves by using netting if necessary, helping to maintain good water quality throughout autumn.

Gardening tips for October

Plant tulip bulbs and other late spring-flowering bulbs while the soil is still workable.
Rake up fallen leaves and make leaf mould or add healthy leaves to the compost heap.
Cut back faded perennials and remove dead or diseased plant material from borders.
Plant trees, shrubs and hedging plants while the soil is still warm to encourage root establishment before winter.
Lift and store dahlia tubers after the first frost has blackened the foliage, keeping them in a cool, frost-free place.
Divide and replant rhubarb crowns if they have become overcrowded.
Harvest pumpkins and squash before heavy frosts and store them in a dry, well-ventilated place.
Clean out greenhouses, pots and gardening tools to reduce pests and diseases over winter.
Continue mowing lawns if growth persists, gradually raising the cutting height as temperatures fall.
Install bird feeders and clean bird baths to encourage wildlife into the garden during the colder months.

Gardening tips for November

Plant bare-root trees, shrubs and hedging plants while they are dormant for the best chance of successful establishment.
Plant tulip bulbs if you have not already done so, as they can still be planted throughout November.
Prune climbing roses by shortening long stems to prevent wind damage over winter.
Mulch borders with compost or well-rotted manure to protect roots and improve soil structure.
Clear fallen leaves from lawns to prevent patches of dead grass developing during wet weather.
Protect tender plants with fleece or move containers into sheltered positions before severe frosts arrive.
Lift and store any remaining tender bulbs and tubers that could be damaged by freezing temperatures.
Clean and sharpen secateurs, loppers and other tools ready for the busy spring season.
Empty, clean and store hoses and irrigation equipment to prevent frost damage.
Keep bird feeders topped up and provide fresh water to support garden wildlife through winter.

Gardening tips for December

Check winter protection on tender plants and replace or secure fleece after strong winds or heavy rain.
Prune apple and pear trees while they are dormant to improve shape and encourage healthy future growth.
Inspect stored bulbs, tubers and harvested vegetables regularly, removing any that show signs of rot.
Continue planting bare-root trees and hedging whenever the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.
Brush heavy snow from shrubs and conifers to prevent branches from snapping under the weight.
Clean and maintain garden tools, pots and equipment to keep everything in good condition for spring.
Plan next year's garden, ordering seeds and creating planting plans while growth is at its quietest.
Keep greenhouses ventilated on mild days to reduce condensation and minimise fungal diseases.
Refill bird feeders regularly and provide fresh water, especially during freezing weather when natural sources may be unavailable.
Take advantage of mild days to tidy borders, remove weeds and prepare beds ready for the growing season ahead.