Maybe you've been enjoying the nice indoors weather
over the last few months. Compared to the record-breaking sweltering heat of
last March, 2013 has been absolutely freezing in comparison, and no-one would
blame even the most avid gardener for putting of a few tasks for the immediate
warmth of their sofa, blankets and fireplace.
But it's time to get up and get outside. Slowly
but surely the sun is starting to rise again, and temperatures along with it.
Pretty soon plants will be leaving dormancy and there'll be no time left to
carry out all the important maintenance tasks which spring up over the winter
period.
If you've got a greenhouse you'll want to clear it
out. There'll be a lot of new spring and summer flowering seeds lined up there
in the coming months, so it's best to wipe down the glass and sweep out loose
seeds and soil before you get too busy.
For those who irrigate and drain their garden
effectively, there's every chance your drainage ditches and pipes have become
clogged up over winter with debris and runoff. If you haven't been cleaning up
since the autumn then things could easily be quite a mess. Get down on your
knees, or grab a litter clearer if your back isn't in great condition, and
clear out the sod, leaves and twigs which built up over the past few months.
Spring rains will flood you in no time if you let them lie for too long.
While you're clearing out the mess, take some time
to examine your raised flower beds in particular. If the ground freezes, or
they're simply assaulted by the elements over winter, then the walls might be in
a less than perfect state. The sides might be loose and weathered, and soil
might be overflowing (no doubt in the hopes of getting to your drainage
ditches). Touch up the edges and drill any loose panels back into a secure
state. Be sure you haven't lost any soil, and dig some compost into the first
six to twelve inches of the bed. This will improve the soil quality for the
months ahead, and make sure it's not running too low.
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