Spring gardening jobs and the garden machinery to use

Spring is the time of year when most of us first turn our attention to our outdoor space and the gardening jobs we can start getting on with. Whether prompted by blooming bulbs, blossom on the trees, or a lawn that needs some love; the arrival of spring, with its progressively longer days, means it’s time to get going in the garden. In this article we look at spring gardening jobs – what to do when, and what garden machinery to use.

While the official start of spring is determined by both the meteorological or astronomical calendars, for gardeners taking note of the weather and ground conditions is often a much better indicator of when to start work outside.

With increasingly extreme weather and the impact of climate change, heavy rainfall means that ground may be too sodden to work on. Similarly, if temperatures remain cold and inhospitable, it’s likely that the spring awakening will be delayed for both you, and your garden.

If it’s too wet and cold to start tending to the lawn or borders, there are still many jobs that can be done early in the season, to prepare for the warmer, drier days ahead.

How to plan your spring gardening jobs

What work is required in your garden?

One of the first things to do in the garden is take stock. Is there a project you want to get done, or are you aiming for a lower-maintenance space? Now’s the time to do some research, and to start making plans.

Spend some time tidying up where you can without treading on the soil – clean the patio, wash down the greenhouse inside and out, repair fences, tidy the shed and overhaul garden furniture. Get the mower, hedge cutter and strimmer serviced, and clean and sharpen garden tools. A few focused hours on jobs now will pay dividends later when you’re ready to get going in the garden.

Remember your local garden machinery dealer can help with replacement parts for equipment, give advice, or even offer a complete garden machinery service for you. Find your closest dealer here.

Order seeds and start sowing  

Go through any old seed packets, check ‘sow by’ dates and make a list of what you plan to grow this season. Then order seeds online, or shop locally. Don’t forget to stock up on compost too.

Suitable varieties can be sown indoors now – whether that’s in the greenhouse or on a windowsill.  Early spring sowings can include sweet peas and cosmos; and edible flowers like nasturtiums or marigolds. For the vegetable bed, the seed growing season can kick off as early as Valentine’s Day – when inside sowings of pea shoots, lettuce, onions and even tomatoes, will start growing away when given warmth, light and protection from frost.

As days get progressively longer and warmer, and the ground dries out enough to be worked on, it’s finally time to get outside and to start making headway in the garden.

Get going in the garden

Spring gardening job – start with lawncare 

Once the grass starts to grow, the mowing season begins, and we come to rely on the array of power equipment that can help maintain the lawn.

If a well-manicured lawn is your pride and joy, then now is the time to mow, scarify, aerate, weed and re-seed any bare patches. You may also consider giving grass a spring feed to get it off to a flying start.

Garden machinery for lawncare

Take a look at your garden machinery and if you’re planning a purchase, local stockists can advise on the best options to suit needs and budget. With the versatility now offered by battery powered garden tools, gardeners are increasingly choosing this quieter, lighter, environmentally-friendly option over petrol driven machinery, and benefiting from the fact that one battery can power everything from the lawnmower, to the hedge cutter.

Buying new machinery for your garden, such as a lawnmower, can be a daunting task. Seek advice from your local lawnmower supplier and do some research online to help find the best option for the size of lawn, the desired finish, and your budget. Consider how the mower will be powered, its weight and manoeuvrability, and whether a hover, rotary or cylinder model would work best for you. Whatever you choose – remember to service as advised, keep the blades sharp and clean under the deck frequently, for the best results.

In addition to the mower, there’s a range of other power tools that can also help make light work of lawncare. If moss is a problem, then a scarifier is an effortless way to extract ‘thatch’ from the lawn – and is much less effort than raking a large area by hand.  Similarly, to aerate the grass, so that it grows stronger and moss is better deterred, an aerator (whether pushed by hand, or propelled by a battery or engine) will help reduce compaction and add air to the soil. For lawns prone to water-logging, a brush over with some sharp sand after aeration is a great way to improve drainage.

Well defined edges, help increase the visual impact of lawns and will stop grass encroaching on borders. Redefine edges that have grown out during winter with a half-moon iron or sharp spade, and start regular clipping; or consider installing a physical lawn edge for a lower maintenance approach. 

Before starting the first mow of the season, remember, if there are bulbs growing in the grass, mowing will need to be delayed until at least six weeks after the bulbs have finished flowering, to ensure they gather all the sustenance from their leaves to bloom again next year.

Don’t forget, if you need help finding your local  garden equipment dealer you can use our handy search tool here.

Spring gardening job – tidy up flower borders and mulch  

Trim back old growth from perennials, and split and divide congested plants. Weed borders thoroughly, being meticulous about getting rid of any slugs and snails you find. Remember to make use of the clippings, by cutting them up and either leaving on the ground around plants, or adding them to the compost heap.

Once borders are prepared, consider adding mulch to help retain moisture, supress weed growth, and feed plants and the soil. Whether it’s homemade garden compost, or a mulch product from your local supplier – a generous layer of organic matter will set up borders ready for the season ahead.

Don’t be too quick to tidy up daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs. Deadhead once any flowers have faded and allow the leaves to die back naturally, so bulbs can recharge again for next year. With the rapid growth of surrounding plants during spring, they will quickly disappear into the background and won’t be noticeable in the border.

Garden machinery for borders and mulching

Choosing labour-saving garden machinery for mulching can help you improve soil health and recycle clippings and prunings. Shredders and chippers break down branches, while mulching mowers finely chop grass clippings, returning nutrients to the soil. The right equipment can help ensure an efficient and eco-friendly approach to garden maintenance.

Spring garden job – prune shrubs after flowering

Resist the temptation to cut back shrubs in the spring in an attempt to make the garden look tidy. As a general rule, wait until spring shrubs have flowered before pruning, to enjoy this year’s blooms and ensure the shrub will grow on well over the summer and flower again next year.

Shrubs that flower later in the year, or are valued for their winter stem colour, can be pruned now.  Some hydrangeas, dogwoods and buddleia, will benefit from cutting back hard to a healthy set of buds in spring.

Choosing the right garden equipment for pruning

The right garden equipment for pruning ensures healthy plant growth and neat landscaping. Secateurs are ideal for precise cuts on small branches, while loppers are the best tool for handling thicker stems. As a general rule hedge cutting should not be carried out in spring, so as not to disturb birds that will be nesting. Nevertheless, now is the time to take a look at your hedge cutter and take it in for servicing so that it’s ready for use later in the year.

Spring garden job: plan ahead for summer 

As we move through spring, it’s also worth thinking ahead and doing some of the garden jobs that could make life easier in the summer. Could you create a composting area to help recycle garden and some household waste? Have you got room to install a water butt to collect rainwater? Can you save money on plant food by learning how to make your own organic feed from comfrey?

Every season brings its own list of jobs to do in the garden, and spring is no exception. But perhaps the most rewarding task of all, is simply taking the time to enjoy what you’ve created and nurtured.  In spring, this means savouring blue skies and rare, sun-drenched days by spending time getting your gardening jobs done, enjoying watching things grow, and looking forward to more opportunities like these as we move ever-closer to summer.

Frequently asked questions about spring gardening jobs

What is the first job I should do in the garden this spring?

The first of your spring gardening tasks is to take stock, do some research, and to start making plans for what you want to achieve in your garden this year. Enjoy the planning process.

How do I choose the right lawnmower for my garden size?

For small lawns, consider a push mower; medium-sized lawns suit electric mowers; large areas benefit from petrol or ride-on mowers. Match mower type to the size of your garden.

What maintenance does garden machinery require?

Regularly clean equipment, check and replace air filters, sharpen blades, and ensure proper lubrication. Adhere to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule to prolong machinery lifespan and efficiency.

How can I safely use a hedge trimmer for garden tasks?

Wear appropriate protective gear, such as gloves and eye protection. Ensure the hedge trimmer is well-maintained, and follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines during operation to prevent accidents.