When it’s toasty in the sunshine and icy in the shade, you know the British springtime has arrived – and it’s the perfect time of year to get some gardening done. If you feel like spring has sprung up on you unexpectedly, though, don’t worry. There’s plenty of time left to pot and plant everything you need for a colourful summer ahead, whether you’re working with a garden or a windowsill. Plus, we’ve got a few blooming good deals on offer with your Blue Light Card to help you stay on budget.
Here are a few ideas for starting on your spring gardening and getting it done a little cheaper.
Before you plant anything, it's worth spending a little time laying the groundwork. Get the chores ticked off now and you'll thank yourself later.
Give your soil a boost. After winter, your soil might be a little tired. Hard, dry or greyish soil is usually a giveaway that it needs replenishing. Topping up with a couple of inches of compost should bring it back to life and create a healthy base for whatever you grow next. If you don't already make your own compost, now is a good time to try it. From vegetable peelings to eggshells, your trash can be your garden’s treasure.
Get your tools in order. You don't need a shed full of fancy equipment to do a bit of gardening this spring. A hand trowel, a fork, a pair of secateurs and a watering can should cover most jobs. If it’s been a while since you reached for your tools, give them a clean and a sharpen before you get started. Need to pick up something new? Do it affordably – B&Q and Homebase are affordable options for picking up the basics, and you can get deals on the equipment you need with your Blue Light Card.
Mulch sooner rather than later. Mulching might not be the most riveting garden task, but it’s well worth doing now to save yourself from a summer of weeds. A layer of mulch (bark chippings, straw or grass clippings) over your beds will keep moisture in and sunlight out, preventing weeds from taking over.
Clean up your space, whatever it is. If you don’t have a flower bed to tend, think about other ways you can spruce up your space – whether that's a patio, a balcony or even a doorstep. Sweeping and scrubbing will freshen things up so your plants can take centre stage. Don’t have an outdoor area? Try transforming a windowsill into a miniature garden for potted plants.
Food you’ve grown yourself just tastes better – we don’t make the rules. So, growing things you can actually eat is a no-brainer if you want to up your gardening game this spring.
Tomatoes are a tasty starting point. If you sow the seeds in April, you’ll be reaping juicy tomatoes come July. A tomato plant might sound like a big undertaking, but you don’t need to have heaps of room to produce heaps of veggies. Tomatoes are happy in pots, garden beds or grow bags, as long as you give them plenty of sunshine.
Courgettes are another low-effort option. Start them off in pots indoors, and plant them outside once the weather has warmed up around May. Just one plant will produce lots of courgettes, so you’ll have plenty of meal-prep material once they’re ready to harvest.
Upgrade your herbs from dried flakes to fresh leaves by starting a windowsill herb garden. Basil, parsley, chives and coriander all thrive in small pots and will give your go-to recipes a major flavour boost.
For anyone tight on outdoor space, we’d recommend trying grow bags. You can pick them up cheaply from most garden centres, pop them on a patio or balcony, and grow what you want, from salad leaves to strawberries – no digging necessary.
Gardening doesn’t have to be all about veggies, either. If you’re looking for blooms of colour come summer, choose flowers that’ll brighten things up.
Plant summer-flowering bulbs now. Dahlias and gladioli can go in the ground this month, ready to flourish in summer. If you want a lower-maintenance option, scatter a few wildflower seeds over bare soil and you’ll have a patch buzzing with bees and butterflies soon enough.
Sunflowers are another mood-boosting option. They’re simple to look after, lovely to look at, and you’ll feel winter fading away with every new inch they climb.
Use what you've got. No pot? No problem. Repurpose old containers like yoghurt pots or plastic milk cartons if you’re running low on supplies. Just poke some holes in the bottom for drainage and you’re all set.
Start from seeds. A packet of seeds costs a fraction of what you'd pay for ready-grown plants. It'll take longer to see results when you cultivate from scratch, but it’s worth the savings – and the feeling of satisfaction when your plants finally flourish.
Shop smart. When you need to pick up extras for your garden, stick to high-street retailers like B&Q, Homebase and Wilko for affordable buys. Use your Blue Light Card to unlock extra savings to make your budget stretch even further.
Planning a trip to the garden centre to get set for spring? Take a look at our home and garden offers first to make sure you get the best value.
