How to get your garden ready for spring in just one weekend
With all the heavy rain on the East Coast of Australia this winter you've probably found it hard to get much done in the garden.
We now have a reprieve from the wet weather, at least for this weekend, and with only two weeks to go until spring now is the time to refresh your yard.
Chris Catarino, interior designer at Woodbury Furniture and horticulturalist Luke Maitland from Native Grace nursery have shared their top tips to reboot your garden for spring in just one weekend.
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Tidying up the garden now will make it easier for spring planting. Getty
"Whether you're entertaining or just soaking up the sun, a little effort now goes a long way in spring. It's about smart maintenance, not major renovation," Catarino said.
The first task you'll want to tick off your pre-spring garden checklist is pruning because winter is the best time to cut back fruit trees, roses and summer-flowering perennials.
"This is when plants are still dormant, so there's less risk of frost damage, and it sets the stage for vigorous new growth in spring," Maitland said.
If you're new to pruning it's typically done after a plant has finished flowering, make sure to cut above the old wood line and use good-quality secateurs and sharp tools.
Garden beds are another job to put on your list. Boosting soil health now means there will be plenty of nutrients for healthy and thriving spring plants.
Those with clay soil are advised to add gypsum and compost to help break it up.
For sandy soil, organic matter is good to add to boost the structure, while loamy soil will benefit from a fresh layer of leaf mulch.
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Spring planting can start now even though it's still winter. Getty Images/iStockphoto
The next thing you can do is refresh what is already there which can make a space feel and look better without adding any plants or décor.
"I always say, mulch, weed and removing dead or struggling plants instantly lifts a garden's look. It's the quickest way to make a space look refreshed," Maitland said.
Then it's time for planting, which can be done now even though it's still winter.
Sun-exposed areas are best to do now so they have time to settle in before the weather gets hot.
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With the garden ready to go for spring, you can shift your focus to outdoor furniture. Even if you've put your tables and chairs under cover they can still end up with splashes of dirt and a dull appearance.
To clean powder-coated aluminium, plastic and finished timber try Catarino's preferred method.
"A capful of sugar soap in warm water and a soft sponge is often all it takes. It lifts grime and mildew gently without damaging surfaces," he said.
Outdoor furniture looks so much better after a quick clean. Getty
Once all that's done, consider adding some new elements, which can be done even on a tight budget.
"It's often the small updates, like a clean table setting, cushions, or some potted colour, that make an outdoor space feel inviting," Catarino said.
"It's about creating a space you want to be in."
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