Herts &amp; Beds

I love this time of year with the sunny daffys popping up, bringing the promise of better weather (and don&#8217;t we need it?!), and green shoots just peeping through the soil, waiting to burst into a carnival of colour. But if you your patch to look tip top for Spring, here are the gardening jobs to be getting stuck into over the next few weeks, courtesy of the experts at <a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/carpenters-nursery-sandridge-stalbans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carpenter&#8217;s Nursery</a> in St Albans. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Spring-flowers-gardening--1000x667.jpg" alt="Spring flowers, bulbs, gardening tools and pots" class="wp-image-76449" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Spring-flowers-gardening--1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Spring-flowers-gardening--800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Spring-flowers-gardening--788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Spring-flowers-gardening-.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jobs-for-now">JOBS FOR NOW</h2>



Divide perennials



Perennials benefit from division every two to three years (or more regularly if you like) to maintain health and vigour. It also means you&#8217;ll end up with more plants &#8211; win, win. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/anemone-perennial-garden-flowers-dieter-k-SPGCLpM_GQ4-unsplash-1000x667.jpg" alt="White anemone flowers" class="wp-image-76450" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/anemone-perennial-garden-flowers-dieter-k-SPGCLpM_GQ4-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/anemone-perennial-garden-flowers-dieter-k-SPGCLpM_GQ4-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/anemone-perennial-garden-flowers-dieter-k-SPGCLpM_GQ4-unsplash-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/anemone-perennial-garden-flowers-dieter-k-SPGCLpM_GQ4-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Prune roses



Cuts should be no more than 5mm (¼ in) above a bud and should slope downwards away from it, so that water does not collect on the bud. This applies to all cuts, whether removing dead wood. Cut to an outward-facing bud to encourage an open-centred shape. With spreading roses prune some stems to inward-facing buds to encourage more upright growth. But do not prune rambling roses at the moment &#8211; they flower on the previous seasons growth so should be pruned immediately after flowering.



Plant summer flowering bulbs



Aim to plant in groups of at least six, as this makes for a better display. Typically, 25 to 50 bulbs may be needed to make an impressive show, but it obviously depends on how much space you&#8217;ve got. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/spring-flowers-tulips-pexels-vural-yavas-1076607-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-76452" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/spring-flowers-tulips-pexels-vural-yavas-1076607-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/spring-flowers-tulips-pexels-vural-yavas-1076607-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/spring-flowers-tulips-pexels-vural-yavas-1076607-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/spring-flowers-tulips-pexels-vural-yavas-1076607.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Top dress and feed containers



Any garden tubs or containers that house shrubs or perennials will benefit from a fresh application of soil on the top and removal of any liverwort or moss. It&#8217;s also the best time to apply a slow-release fertiliser to ensure they have all the nutrients they need for the coming season.



Prune deciduous shrubs



Late winter to early spring, before the leaves begin to appear on the stems, is traditionally considered the best time to prune. Thin out old wood and prune to a dormant bud or node. However, to allow the maximum time to enjoy colourful stems, shrubby Cornus and willows are now typically pruned from late March to mid-April, just as the new growth is developing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">JOBS FOR APRIL</h2>



Sow hardy seeds



Whether its vegetables or ornamentals, as the weather warms the soil it’s a great time for sowing seeds. Remove weeds and large clumpy bits of mud first. Pre-water the soil before sowing and once done, add some slug protection. We recommend Neurdoff slug pellets and they&#8217;re safe around kids and pets, too.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/seeds-joshua-lanzarini-Vct0oBHNmv4-unsplash-1000x667.jpg" alt="seeds in woman's open hands" class="wp-image-76451" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/seeds-joshua-lanzarini-Vct0oBHNmv4-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/seeds-joshua-lanzarini-Vct0oBHNmv4-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/seeds-joshua-lanzarini-Vct0oBHNmv4-unsplash-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/seeds-joshua-lanzarini-Vct0oBHNmv4-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Look after the lawn



Any areas of the lawn that have suffered over the wet winter months can now be repaired. Whether using turf or seed, it is always best to remove the damaged area by cutting out with a half moon iron and spade. Apply some fresh top soil to fill to the required level and then either lay the new turf or sow seed. Once seed has been sown, cover with a thin layer of top soil and water. Keep new turf well watered until established.



Put some support in place



You will start to see many herbaceous plants emerging from their winter dormancy around April. Taller plants such as Delphiniums, Lupins and Hollyhocks will need support, and now is the time to put these in place, allowing the plants to grow through your support systems. Other perennials like Peonies, which have heavy blooms, will also require some support too.







<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Hollyhocks-gardening-marina-yalanska-u-GeqeYgsjE-unsplash-1000x667.jpg" alt="Pink hollyhocks" class="wp-image-76454" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Hollyhocks-gardening-marina-yalanska-u-GeqeYgsjE-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Hollyhocks-gardening-marina-yalanska-u-GeqeYgsjE-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Hollyhocks-gardening-marina-yalanska-u-GeqeYgsjE-unsplash-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Hollyhocks-gardening-marina-yalanska-u-GeqeYgsjE-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/carpenters-nursery-sandridge-stalbans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Visit Carpenter&#8217;s Nursery for all your gardening equipment, plants, seeds, bulbs and more.</a>

Spring into flower: 8 gardening jobs to do in March and April

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