Spring Garden Checklist: February to May Jobs

February Jobs

Prune late summer flowering shrubs

Shrubs that flower on the current year's growth are pruned hard in February. This includes buddleia, caryopteris, hardy fuchsia, hydrangea paniculata, perovskia and leycesteria. Cut back to a low framework of stems, about 30 to 60cm tall. This encourages strong new growth that will flower in late summer.

See our hydrangea profile for the differences between pruning mophead, lacecap and paniculata types.

Cut back ornamental grasses

Deciduous grasses like miscanthus, calamagrostis and pennisetum should be cut back to about 10cm before new growth starts. Evergreen grasses like stipa and carex just need a comb through with gloved hands to remove dead leaves.

Cut back perennials left for winter

Any perennials you left standing for winter interest should be cut back now. Leave a few centimetres of stem so you can see where the plant is, and to protect new shoots from slugs.

Prune wisteria

The winter prune of wisteria happens in February. Shorten the side shoots cut back in summer to 2 or 3 buds. This encourages flowering spurs rather than leafy growth.

Prepare seed beds

Cover vegetable beds with polythene or fleece to warm the soil. The covered soil can be 5 Celsius warmer than uncovered, allowing earlier sowing.

Sow early seeds indoors

In a greenhouse or on a windowsill, start sowing tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, onions and leeks. These need a long growing season and benefit from an early start under cover.

Plant bare root roses and hedges

February is the last good month for planting bare root roses, hedges and trees. See our guides to planting hedges and the rose profile.

March Jobs

First lawn cut

March is when the first cut happens, weather permitting. Set the blades high for the first cut, removing no more than a third of the grass height. Do not cut if the ground is wet or frosty. See our article on mossy lawns if your lawn is more moss than grass.

Mulch beds and borders

March is the ideal month for mulching. The soil is warming up, weeds have not germinated yet, and a 5cm layer of compost or bark will suppress weeds for the whole growing season. See our article on preventing weeds in garden beds for the practical details.

Feed beds and borders

Apply a balanced fertiliser like growmore or blood, fish and bone around the base of shrubs and perennials. About 50g per square metre, watered in if the soil is dry. This gives plants a boost as they start into growth.

Divide perennials

March is a good month for lifting and dividing overcrowded perennials. Dig up the clump, split with two forks back to back or a sharp spade, and replant the divisions. Water in well. Discard the woody centre of old clumps.

Plant summer flowering bulbs

Dahlias, gladioli, lilies, crocosmia and begonias can be planted in March. In colder areas, wait until April. Start dahlia tubers in pots in a greenhouse for earlier flowers.

Sow hardy seeds outdoors

From mid March, sow hardy annuals like calendula, cornflower, nigella and larkspur directly where they are to flower. Sow vegetable seeds like carrots, beetroot, parsnips, spinach and peas. Protect with fleece if frost is forecast.

Prune bush roses

March is the main pruning month for bush roses. Cut back to an outward facing bud, removing dead and crossing wood. Reduce height by about a third to a half. See our rose profile for details.

Top dress containers

Remove the top 5cm of compost from permanent containers and replace with fresh compost mixed with slow release fertiliser. See our guide to container gardening for more.

April Jobs

Lawn renovation

April is the month for serious lawn work. Scarify to remove thatch and moss, aerate to relieve compaction, top dress with sand and loam, and over-seed bare patches. See our lawn recovery service for what is involved.

Plant potatoes

First early potatoes go in late March, second earlies in early April, maincrops in mid April. Plant 10 to 15cm deep, 30cm apart in rows 60cm apart. Earth up the shoots as they appear to protect from frost and encourage tuber formation.

Harden off tender seedlings

Seedlings raised indoors need hardening off before planting out. Put them outside during the day for a week, then day and night (with protection) for another week, then plant out. This prevents shock and checks to growth.

Sow tender vegetables under cover

Sow courgettes, squash, pumpkins, sweetcorn, French and runner beans in pots in a greenhouse. These are frost tender and cannot go outside until late May.

Plant out hardy annuals

Hardy annuals sown in March can be thinned and transplanted in April. Plant in drifts for natural effect.

Watch for pests

April is when pests start to appear. Check for aphids on new growth, slug damage on hostas and delphiniums, and lily beetles on lilies. See our hosta profile for slug control methods.

Start hedge cutting for formal hedges

Formal hedges like box, yew and privet may need their first cut in late April or May. Check for nesting birds first. See our guide to when to cut hedges for the legal position on nesting birds.

May Jobs

Plant out tender plants

After the last frost (mid to late May in southern England), plant out tender vegetables like tomatoes, courgettes, squash, sweetcorn and beans. Also plant out tender bedding plants like pelargoniums, begonias and impatiens. Harden off first.

Plant out dahlias

Dahlia tubers started in pots, or planted directly in the ground, can go out in late May after the last frost. Stake tall varieties at planting time to avoid damaging roots later.

Summer bedding

Plant summer bedding in containers and hanging baskets from mid to late May. Use a mix of trailing and upright plants for impact. See our container gardening guide for compost and watering.

Keep on top of weeds

May is peak weed growth. Hoe weekly, hand weed between plants, and mulch any bare soil. Weeds that go to seed now will be a problem for years. See our weed prevention guide for long term control.

Water newly planted areas

Anything planted in the last 12 months needs watering through dry spells. A thorough soak once a week is better than a daily sprinkle. See our guide to gardener visit frequency for fitting watering into maintenance.

Mow weekly

By May the lawn should be mown weekly. Keep the blades at a medium height. Do not scalp the lawn because this weakens the grass and encourages moss.

Stake tall perennials

Put stakes around tall perennials like delphiniums, hollyhocks and peonies before they need them. Trying to stake a plant that has already flopped damages the stems.

Spring Lawn Care

First cut

The first cut happens in March, weather permitting. Set blades high and remove no more than a third of the height. Subsequent cuts can be lower as the season progresses.

Feed

A spring lawn feed in late March or April gives the grass a boost for the growing season. Use a feed high in nitrogen to encourage green growth. Do not feed too early because soft growth is damaged by late frosts.

Scarify and aerate

If you did not do this in autumn, April is the time. Scarify to remove thatch and moss, aerate to relieve compaction. See our article on moss in lawns for what to do with the moss you remove.

Over-seed bare patches

Loosen the soil, sow grass seed at 30g per square metre, cover with compost, and keep moist. Germination takes 10 to 14 days. Keep off the area until the new grass is 5cm tall.

Mowing frequency

March: maybe once. April: every 10 days. May onwards: weekly. In a hot dry summer, raise the blades and mow less often to help the grass cope with drought.

Spring Weed Control

Hoeing

A dutch hoe is the best tool for annual weeds in beds and vegetable plots. Hoe on a dry day and leave the weeds on the surface to dry out. Hoeing is most effective on small weeds; large weeds need hand pulling.

Hand weeding

For perennial weeds like dandelions, dock and bindweed, hand weeding is essential. Dig out the whole root with a fork or a long handled weed tool. Any root left behind will regrow. The RHS has useful guidance on identifying and controlling garden weeds if you are unsure what you are dealing with.

The key with hand weeding is to do it after rain when the soil is soft. Pulling dandelions out of dry soil in May is a disheartening business; the same job after a wet April weekend takes seconds per plant. Keep a bucket by the door and pull a few weeds every time you walk past the bed. Little and often beats a heroic once a year assault.

Mulching

A 5cm layer of compost or bark mulch in March suppresses weeds for the whole growing season. Mulch after weeding, not before. See our weed prevention guide for the full mulching method.

Weed fabric

For new beds, weed fabric under mulch is very effective. Plant through slits cut in the fabric. The fabric suppresses weeds for 5 to 10 years before needing replacement.

Spring Planting

Bare root

February and March are the last months for bare root planting. Trees, hedges and roses planted now will establish before summer. See our hedge planting guide.

Pot grown trees and shrubs

Pot grown plants can be planted all spring, but earlier is better. Plants put in March have time to root out before the dry summer months. Anything planted in May needs careful watering through summer.

Summer bulbs

Dahlias, gladioli, lilies and crocosmia go in from March to May. Plant at 2 to 3 times the bulb depth. Stake tall varieties at planting.

Summer bedding

Plant summer bedding in late May after the last frost. Use fresh compost, water in well, and feed weekly through the growing season.

Costs of Spring Garden Work

• Spring tidy and mulch: 150 to 400 pounds depending on garden size
• Lawn spring feed and scarify: 100 to 250 pounds
• Hedge first cut: 100 to 300 pounds depending on length
• Planting service: 30 to 50 pounds per hour plus materials
• Container planting summer display: 100 to 300 pounds including plants

Most clients book a major spring tidy in March and then move to fortnightly maintenance. See our garden maintenance service for details.

Common Spring Mistakes

Planting tender plants too early

A late frost in May can wipe out tomatoes, courgettes and bedding plants planted too early. Wait until the last frost date for your area.

Not hardening off seedlings

Seedlings raised indoors need gradual hardening off. Planting them straight outside checks their growth and can kill them.

Scalping the lawn

Cutting the lawn too short weakens the grass and encourages moss. Never remove more than a third of the height in one cut.

Forgetting to water new plants

Anything planted in the last 12 months needs watering through dry spells. A weekly soak is better than a daily sprinkle.

Letting weeds go to seed

One dandelion plant can produce 2,000 seeds. Pull weeds before they flower and seed, not after.

Final Thoughts

Spring is the most demanding season in the garden but also the most rewarding. Everything you do now pays off through the rest of the year. Mulch applied in March means fewer weeds in July. Lawn work in April means a healthy lawn in August. Seedlings sown in February mean tomatoes in July.

The trick is to start early and keep on top of the work. A few hours a week through spring keeps the garden looking good all year. Let it slide and you will be playing catch up all summer. See our autumn checklist for what to do when spring work pays off.

Spring garden service

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the last frost in southern England?

Typically mid to late May in the Home Counties. In sheltered gardens in London and the south coast, mid May. In exposed gardens, late May or early June. Wait an extra week after the forecast last frost before planting out tender plants.

When should I cut my grass for the first time?

Usually March, when the grass is dry and growing. Set blades high and remove no more than a third of the height. Do not cut if the ground is wet or frosty.

Can I plant in March?

Yes, March is a good month for planting bare root trees, hedges and roses, pot grown shrubs, summer bulbs, and hardy perennials. Wait until May for tender plants.

How often should I water newly planted shrubs?

Once a week through the first growing season, more in hot dry spells. A thorough soak at the root zone is better than a daily sprinkle that only wets the surface.

Further Reading

• Autumn garden checklist
• Winter garden tasks checklist
• How to prevent weeds in garden beds
• Best time to plant hedges in the UK

Sources and citations

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

1. CGM field records (2024-08. 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.