A garden has many personalities that are dependent on the tilt of the earth and the local climates and seasons. As much as gardening is a science, it is also an art, and these tips are starting guides for garden care in each season. Take these ideas and see how they relate to your garden and create your own personalised gardening timeline.
 

Spring

Plant any bare-rooted plants, such as soft fruits and roses. Pay attention to your bulbs, your tulips and daffodils, which should look magnificent this time of the year. After they flower, take off any wilted flowers and seed heads and tease out the bulb with its leaves and replant them about 60-75mm apart.

A lawn treatment is a great way to spruce up your lawn and should be applied on a dry day with a thorough watering after three days, though check the specifics on your specific fertilizer. 
There is so much to do in spring, especially if you are a vegetable grower. If the atmosphere and the ground is still too cold for your vegetables then you will need a gently heated propagator to give them a boost. As soon as the seeds are up, transfer them to a cooler and turn them every day by a quarter for a well-rounded plant.
 

Summer

During the dog days of summer, water your plants early in the morning and late in the evening to maximise your water efficiency. This is also when your pollinators will be blooming and keeping your bees happy. These include sunflowers, zinnias, and other wildflowers which are great additions to your yard and keep the ecosystem moving.
During periods of good weather is the time to tackle any large garden renovation projects such as installing patios, garden paths and ponds. Plus, this is the perfect time to visit national gardens to get inspiration for next year, get any tips for flowers that haven’t done as well as you planned, and bask in the beauty of nature.
 

Fall

Autumn is the time to clean the garden and prepare the beds for next spring. Bulbs that bloom in spring, your asters, pansies and chrysanthemums, will do well getting used to your garden’s soil at this time. Additionally, plant new shrubs and trees now as there is plenty of ambient moisture and the tree will be dormant which reduces the effects of transplant shock.
Clean up unwanted growth now; your spent vegetable plants and any weeds. Prepare the flower beds by clearing away leaf debris. This can be a chore, especially if you have a lot of dead leaves. 
Removing plant debris is essential for reducing plant disease risk and pests. Empty your compost bins and start a new batch with the falling foliage. Your compost can be used as a heat blanket around your most sensitive plants to keep them snug for next season.
 

Winter

In general, winter temperatures won’t kill ornamental plants. A higher risk time for them is spring when there are occasional warm spells that wake them from dormancy followed by cold spells. Protect your flowering plants with a frost cover, not a plastic sheet which produces an oven effect if the sun is strong unexpectedly.
During winter, you can relax with regards to clearing bulb foliage and regular watering schedules. Additionally, don’t fertilise at this period because you will stimulate new plant growth which is dangerous during this period.
Each season has its own needs and its own treasures. Gardening is a wonderful, varied pastime that can help you keep tabs on how your environment is changing and nurture something that will grow more beautiful over time. Do you have your own seasonal gardening tips or successes? Let us know in the comments below.
 

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