Cleaning a garden takes real effort, especially when the space is large. But with good planning and the right tools, you can work through it efficiently and get great results. Time spent outdoors tending to plants is also genuinely good for your mood and wellbeing, so it's worth approaching the job with the right mindset.
You could hire a professional gardener instead. The downside is you'd miss out on the mental health benefits that come from doing it yourself.
Why bother cleaning your garden?
Leaving a garden to its own devices is tempting, but not a good idea. It's not just about looks. Dead plants, rotting leaves and dry stems harbour fungal spores and diseases that can spread to healthy plants and even affect the health of your household.
A well-maintained garden is also a healthier one. And if you're lucky enough to have outdoor space, it's worth making the most of it.
What you need to get started
Before you begin, make sure you have the right equipment:
- Garden tools: lawn mower or brush cutter, shears, pruning scissors, watering can, bucket, spade, hoe, hedge trimmer;
- Pressure washer;
- Leaf blower or vacuum;
- Rake, wheelbarrow, leaf bags, bin bags;
- Protective gear: gardening gloves, safety glasses, apron, boots.
Break the work into steps
Many people put off garden cleaning because it feels overwhelming. The mistake is thinking it all has to be done at once. Breaking it into clear stages makes it manageable and even enjoyable:
- Remove weeds and autumn/winter leaf fall;
- Remove mulch and prune perennial flowers;
- Remove annual plants;
- Cut back dead growth on perennials;
- Prune woody perennials (trees and shrubs);
- Trim evergreen and semi-evergreen plants;
- Cut ornamental grasses;
- Mow the lawn and clear grass clumps from edges;
- Clean paths, walls and decorative features;
- Wash garden furniture.
1. Remove weeds and autumn/winter leaves
Start by clearing the dry leaves and weeds that have built up over the colder months. Use a rake and leaf bags, working from the most visible areas inward. Do this before the weather warms up. The soil is still damp at this time of year, which makes it much easier to pull weeds out by the roots.
2. Remove mulch and prune perennial flowers
Once leaves are cleared, remove the winter mulch, the layer of dry leaves and plant debris that builds up at the base of plants. Clearing it away gives the soil around your perennials room to breathe and lets new growth come through.
3. Remove annual plants
Annual plants have completed their life cycle and should be fully removed. Pull them out root and all and add them to the bag with your leaves and weeds. This material is ideal for making good compost.
4. Cut back dead growth on perennials
Unlike annuals, perennials don't need to be removed. Just cut away the dry leaves and stems. Be gentle and take care not to damage any new growth that's already coming through.
5. Prune trees and shrubs
Trees and shrubs in the garden benefit from regular pruning. Many need to be cut back in spring because they only flower on new growth. Watch for buds beginning to open and fresh shoots appearing at the base. That's your cue to prune.
6. Trim evergreen and semi-evergreen plants
Evergreen plants keep their leaves all year; semi-evergreens only partially. Both need regular trimming to prevent them from outgrowing their space and crowding out other plants.
7. Cut ornamental grasses
Ornamental grasses add texture to a garden but can get out of hand quickly. They can be cut back at any time of year, whenever they start looking too dense or untidy.
8. Mow the lawn and clear edge growth
Now bring out the lawn mower and brush cutter. Mow to an even height and clear the growth along paths, walls and borders. Be careful around plant bases and tree trunks to avoid causing damage.
9. Clean paths, walls and decorative features
With the planting areas done, move on to the hard surfaces: paving, paths, garden walls and decorative elements. A pressure washer is the most effective tool here, cutting through ingrained dirt and moss with ease.
10. Wash garden furniture
Finally, wash the garden furniture so it's ready to use through spring and summer. A pressure washer can work well here too, though it depends on the material your furniture is made from.
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