Spring is the season when UK gardens truly come alive. After months of cold, grey weather, the warmer days ahead offer the perfect opportunity to get your outdoor space ready for the year. Whether you are planning to install a new pergola, set up a greenhouse for growing, or simply refresh your patio, this month-by-month guide will help you make the most of the spring season.
February: Planning and Preparation
February is the ideal time to start planning your garden projects for the year ahead. While it may still be too cold for planting, you can use this month to assess your outdoor space, measure for new structures, and order materials. If you are considering a pergola or greenhouse, now is the time to browse options and compare sizes so everything is ready for installation when the weather improves. Clear away any winter debris, check fences and boundaries for storm damage, and start thinking about where you want seating areas, growing spaces, and focal points. A rough sketch of your garden layout can save hours of rearranging later in the season. This is also a good month to service your lawn mower, sharpen tools, and stock up on compost and seeds.
March: Getting Your Hands Dirty
March is when the garden season truly begins. As temperatures start to climb, you can begin outdoor projects with confidence. If you have ordered a greenhouse, March is the perfect month for installation. A polycarbonate greenhouse will protect early seedlings from frost while letting in plenty of light for strong growth. Start sowing hardy vegetables like broad beans, peas, and lettuce under cover. Prepare your borders by adding compost and well-rotted manure. March is also an excellent time to install garden structures like pergolas and privacy screens. The ground is firm enough for proper foundations, and you will have everything in place before the busy summer months. Lay new decking tiles on patios that need a refresh, and repair any garden paths that have been damaged by winter frost.
April and May: Bringing Your Garden to Life
By April, your garden should be taking shape. After the last frosts have passed, usually around mid to late April in most parts of England, you can begin planting tender varieties outdoors. If you have a greenhouse, you will already be ahead of the season with strong seedlings ready to transplant. This is the time to set up your outdoor entertaining areas. Arrange furniture beneath your pergola, add outdoor cushions and lighting, and create zones for dining and relaxation. A retractable canopy pergola gives you the flexibility to enjoy shade on sunny days and shelter during April showers. May is when everything comes together. Your borders fill with colour, your greenhouse is producing in abundance, and the longer evenings invite you outdoors. Consider adding a fire pit to extend those warm spring evenings. There is nothing quite like gathering around the flames on a mild May evening, watching the garden you have worked so hard to create come alive around you.