Garden Tidy-Up Checklist Before Summer

1. The Lawn

First cut

The first cut of the year should be light. Set the mower to its highest setting and just take the top off. Cutting too short too early stresses the grass and encourages moss. Wait until the grass is actively growing, usually mid-March in southern England.

Edge the lawn

Use a half-moon edger to cut a clean edge along all borders. This single job transforms the look of the garden. Aim for a 5cm wide trench between the lawn and the border.

Scarify if needed

If the lawn has a thick layer of thatch (dead grass and moss at the base), scarify with a spring-tine rake or powered scarifier. This is hard work but makes a huge difference. Best done in April when the grass is growing strongly.

Aerate compacted areas

Use a garden fork to spike the lawn 10cm deep, every 10cm. Rock the fork back and forth to widen the holes. This improves drainage and root growth. For larger lawns, hire a hollow-tine aerator.

Apply spring feed

A balanced spring lawn fertiliser greens up the grass and encourages strong root growth. Apply at 30g per square metre in late March or early April. Water in if no rain within 2 days.

Treat moss if present

If moss is a problem, apply iron sulphate at 5g per square metre two weeks before scarifying. This kills the moss and turns it black, making it easier to remove. See our full guide on moss in lawns.

Overseed bare patches

After scarifying, overseed any bare patches with a grass mix suited to your conditions. Sow at 25g per square metre, rake in lightly, and water. Cover with netting to keep birds off.

2. Borders and Beds

Clear last year's growth

Cut back all dead stems from perennials. Most can be cut to within 5cm of the ground. New growth will come from the base. Leave any seed heads that look attractive or are feeding birds.

Weed thoroughly

Spring is the best time to weed. The soil is soft, the weeds are small, and the ground is too cold for seeds to germinate quickly. Get every perennial weed root out now and you save hours of work in summer. See our overgrown garden guide for dealing with established weeds.

Dig in compost

Add a 5cm layer of compost or well rotted manure around plants. Work it into the top 5cm of soil. This improves soil structure, retains moisture, and feeds plants through the season.

Apply mulch

After weeding and composting, apply a 5cm mulch of bark or gravel. This suppresses weeds for the whole growing season and reduces watering by 50 percent. Keep mulch away from plant stems.

Divide perennials

Perennials that have formed large clumps can be lifted and divided. Lift the whole clump with a fork, divide into 3 or 4 sections with a spade, and replant the outer sections. Water well. Best done in March or April.

Plant new perennials and shrubs

Spring is a good time to plant, though autumn is better. Water new plants regularly through their first summer. Plant in drifts of 3 or 5 for impact.

Support tall plants

Put plant supports in place now for tall perennials like delphiniums, peonies and verbena. It is much easier to put a support in before the plant needs it than to wrestle a mature plant into a support.

Prune spring shrubs after flowering

Shrubs that flower in spring like forsythia, flowering currant and japonica should be pruned immediately after flowering. Cut back the flowered stems to a strong new shoot.

3. Hedges

Check for nesting birds

Before any hedge cutting between March and August, check carefully for nesting birds. Watch the hedge for 30 minutes from a distance. If birds are flying in and out, leave it until September. See our hedge cutting guide for the legal position.

First cut of the year

Most formal hedges need their first cut in late May or June once the spring growth has finished. Cut to shape with the top narrower than the base. See our hedge cutting service.

Feed and mulch

Hedges are hungry. Apply a balanced fertiliser at 50g per square metre around the base. Mulch with compost to retain moisture.

4. Hard Surfaces

Pressure wash paths and patios

Winter leaves paths and patios green with algae and slippery. Pressure wash in March or April when the weather is warming up but before the dry summer. See our pressure washing service.

Re-point paving joints

If pointing has crumbled over winter, re-point with a 4 to 1 sand and cement mix. Use a pointing trowel and brush off excess once it has started to set.

Treat timber decks

Clean the deck with a deck cleaner, then apply a deck oil or stain. Best done in late spring when the timber is dry.

Clean out drains and gullies

Clear leaves and debris from drains and gullies. Summer thunderstorms can cause flooding if drains are blocked.

5. Structures

Inspect fences

Check all fence posts for rot at the base. Replace any rotten posts before they fall over. Treat timber with preservative.

Repair sheds and outbuildings

Check shed roofs for leaks. Replace felt if needed. Treat timber with preservative. Oil door hinges and locks.

Clean and treat garden furniture

Clean furniture with warm soapy water. Treat timber furniture with teak oil or a preservative. Check metal furniture for rust and treat with rust killer.

Service the mower

If you have a petrol mower, service it now. Change the oil, clean the air filter, replace the spark plug, and sharpen the blade. A sharp blade cuts cleanly and is better for the grass.

Clean and sharpen tools

Clean all hand tools with a wire brush. Sharpen secateurs, shears and loppers with a sharpening stone. Oil moving parts. Hang tools rather than leaving them on the floor.

6. Containers and Pots

Refresh pot compost

Remove the top 5cm of compost from each pot and replace with fresh. Add a slow-release fertiliser. This feeds the plant for the whole season without daily feeding.

Repot root-bound plants

If roots are coming out of the drainage holes, the plant needs repotting. Move to a pot 5cm wider. Use fresh compost.

Plant summer bedding

Wait until mid-May after the last frost before planting summer bedding. Pelargoniums, begonias, lobelia and petunias are reliable choices.

Install irrigation for containers

If you have lots of pots, install a drip irrigation system on a tap timer. This takes 2 hours to set up and saves hours of watering each week through summer.

7. Wildlife

Clean out bird boxes

Clean bird boxes in late winter with boiling water to kill parasites. Old nests can harbour mites that affect new chicks.

Put up new bird boxes

Early spring is the time to put up new bird boxes. Face them north or east to avoid strong sun.

Clean bird feeders

Clean bird feeders with a mild bleach solution. Birds can catch diseases from dirty feeders.

Create a wildlife corner

Leave a corner of the garden undisturbed with a pile of logs and leaves. This provides habitat for hedgehogs, frogs and beneficial insects.

8. Pond

Remove dead leaves and debris

Use a net to remove leaves and debris from the pond. Decaying matter uses up oxygen and encourages algae.

Check the pump and filter

Clean the pump and filter. Replace any worn parts. Restart the pump once the water temperature is above 10C.

Divide overgrown plants

Water lilies and marginal plants that have outgrown their baskets should be divided and repotted in fresh aquatic compost.

Schedule

Cost If You Pay Someone Else

If you would rather not do the work yourself, here is roughly what the spring tidy-up costs if we do it:

• Small garden: 300 to 500 for full spring tidy
• Family garden: 500 to 900 for full spring tidy
• Large garden: 900 to 1,800 for full spring tidy

Lawn scarification and aeration are usually charged separately. Pressure washing is charged separately. See our estimate tools for quick quotes.

Final Thoughts

The spring tidy-up is one of those jobs that pays off all summer. A weekend or two of focused work in March and April means you can sit in the garden in June rather than catch up. And the jobs done in spring keep the garden healthier through the year.

If you would like help with the spring tidy-up, give us a call. We do one-off spring cleans and set up regular maintenance visits for the season ahead.

Book a spring tidy-up

Further Reading

• How much does regular garden maintenance cost?
• How often should a gardener visit?
• Best low-maintenance plants for Chiltern gardens

Sources and citations

This article draws on the following sources. Specific claims are cited inline where relevant.

1. CGM field records (2026-07. Site observations from gardens across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Bedfordshire.
2. Royal Horticultural Society (2024). RHS Gardening Advice and Plant Finder. Available at rhs.org.uk.
3. Met Office (2024). Regional climate averages, South East England. Available at metoffice.gov.uk.
4. British Geological Survey (2024). Soil parent material data for the Chilterns and Thames Valley. Available at bgs.ac.uk.