Squire’s Shares Secrets to a Blooming Spring
With 90 years of gardening expertise, Squire’s Garden Centres is helping gardeners prepare their gardens, patios and outdoor spaces for a colourful and fruitful spring – proving that small actions taken early can make a big difference later on.
While February might still feel like the depths of winter, gardening experts promote it as a key moment to lay the foundations for success. By tackling a few simple jobs now, gardeners can help plants establish more quickly and thrive right through spring and summer.
Sarah Squire, Chairman, Squire’s Garden Centres, advises: “Preparing your garden now, before spring fully arrives, is one of the best ways to set it up for success – leading to stronger growth, more colour and less maintenance in the months ahead.”
Simple February jobs that pay off all season
Tidy up for new growth
Clearing away fallen leaves and winter debris allows light and air to reach the soil, creating the best conditions for fresh growth to emerge as temperatures rise.
Feed the soil
“Mulching beds and borders with bark, homemade compost or well-rotted manure helps lock in moisture, suppress weeds and improve soil structure, giving plants a valuable boost as they come back into growth” explains Hilary Holdsworth, Plant Expert at Squire’s Crawley.
Care for your tools
February is an ideal time to clean, sharpen and oil garden tools. Well-maintained tools not only make jobs easier, but also help promote plant health and hygiene throughout the growing season.
Plant now for structure and year-round interest
Hilary continues: “If the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged, now is a great time to plant trees, shrubs, fruit bushes and other hardy plants. Adding compost, slow-release plant food and Root Grow (mycorrhizal fungi) at planting helps roots establish strongly, setting plants up for long-term success.”
Add instant spring colour
For an immediate lift, primroses, pansies and violas bring a splash of colour to pots, containers and borders – perfect for brightening gardens and outdoor spaces while spring bedding and perennials get going.
Grow your own potatoes at home
Potatoes are an easy and rewarding crop for gardeners of all levels. Chitting seed potatoes from late January or around six weeks before planting can help improve yields. For smaller spaces, potato grow bags are ideal for patios and balconies, making it easy to grow your own even without a traditional garden.
Plan now for a spectacular spring and summer!
Spring may still be a few weeks away, but planning ahead now can make all the difference. From summer-flowering bulbs to compost, plant feed and garden tools, gardeners can prepare with confidence and ease.
Hilary adds: “There’s no better time to get your garden ready to bloom. Shake off the winter blues and add a splash of colour – look out for great-value plants, including primroses, pansies and camellias. Carefully chosen, they can brighten even the greyest days. By getting ahead now, gardeners can look forward to a garden that’s easier to maintain, more resilient and bursting with colour as the season unfolds.”
