Spring Gardening Tips

Spring is the perfect time to head out to the garden and get your lawn, trees and flowers looking their best. We’ve got five simple ideas for how you can improve your yard this weekend — plus the tools to make the jobs easier.

1. Prune your spring-bloomers

By now, some of your flowering plants will have finished their seasonal blooming. Pruning your spring/winter bloomers and removing spent flowers will not only enhance the look of your garden, but will encourage growth and flowering performance next year.

We recommend:

Universal Secateurs — Sturdy and resistant, these secateurs are an excellent all-rounder for your trimming jobs, from deadheading flowers to removing frost-struck stems.

Dynamic Pruning Shears — Facing a larger job? The Dynamic Pruning Shears can easily trim through hard or dead wood, and features a deep sap groove to prevent sticking.

2. Feed your plants

It is important to aid your plants’ growth with a slow-release fertiliser. This is particularly important after pruning. Spring is a great time to apply a liquid fertiliser; plants are in their prime and will be eager for the extra nutrients. But be aware that different plants have different needs — roses are heavy feeders, for instance, while herbs are not. It is a good idea to research your garden and find how you can best improve its growth.

We recommend:

SG31 Pressure Sprayer — Fertilising an entire garden can seem a daunting task, but a pressure sprayer will get the job done in minutes. Suitable for fertilisers, plant strengtheners, and pesticides, the SG31 Sprayer is easy to operate and ideal for both homeowners and landowners.

3. Plant a veggie garden

Now that the soil is warm, you could sow a fresh garden of summer vegetables, such as beans, corn, pumpkins, potatoes and more. Now is also a good time to plant herbs like basil and dill. There are few things more satisfying than enjoying a meal picked straight from your own garden!

We recommend:

Pick Tine KombiTool — For those who prefer to till their soil once or twice a year, this is the perfect tool. Prepare your garden area, ensure the soil is warm and dry, then slowly till in straight lines across the length of your space.

4. Clean Outdoor Furniture

After a sodden Brisbane winter, your outdoor garden furniture may be in need of some attention. Give everything a facelift by ridding the area of spider webs, sanding back and revarnishing wooden furniture, and ensuring everything is freshly cleaned. You might like to use a surface insect spray to prevent little creatures returning too quickly.

We recommend:

RE109 Pressure Cleaner — Lessen the need for elbow grease and chemicals with one of our pressure cleaners. Great for use on garden furniture, pathways, cars and more, the RE109 is versatile with variable pressure, so you can control the fan-jet to suit different jobs.

5. Get creative with hedges

Trimming back off-shoots in spring will keep hedges and bushes looking tidy, but why not use their spring growth for a bit of garden creativity? Try shaping and manicuring your hedges into geometric shapes or other defined forms. You may be surprised how therapeutic topiary can be.

We recommend:

HSA66 Cordless Hedge Trimmer — Small, light and cordless, the HSA66 will allow you to get in close and perform delicate tasks. Their AP batteries provide long run-times and high-level motor speeds.

HLE71 Electric Hedge Trimmer — Trim fragile plants, sculpt full hedges, or control bushes with ease using the HLE71 hedge trimmer. This top-of-the-range model has an adjustable 0-125° cutting head, so you can tackle tricky shapes from all angles.

Other quick tips:

• Feed your lawn to promote new growth. Aerating the yard can also be helpful, as this will help to drain away the winter wet.
• Remove weeds from your lawn now, so they don’t take over during summer. Try using a bindii and clover killer prior to feeding the lawn.
• Remove weeds from pathways. This is a simple way to keep your gardens looking uniform and fresh. Similarly, use a grass trimmer or brushcutter to achieve a clean cut when mowing.
• Insulate your plants against the summer heat by applying a good quality mulch to your garden beds.
• Make sure you’re watering your plants once or twice weekly with deep root soakings.
• Keep your gardening equipment in top shape by cleaning and oiling tools after use, and storing them in a dry, sheltered place.
• Make sure your lawn mower, grass cutter, blower, and other important machines are in top working condition. Come see our Service and Repairs teams if you have any queries.