10 ideas for getting your garden ready for spring

From protecting your fruit trees to clearing up winter waste, our top tips will prepare your patch for the season ahead.

Daffodils stand in a terracotta ceramic pot in the yard of a spring time garden

By Jennie Buist Brown | Published - 10 Feb 2026

1. Start with a cleanup

A thorough cleanup sets the stage for everything that follows. Begin by removing fallen leaves, twigs, and any leftover annuals that have collapsed over winter – decaying plant matter can harbour fungal spores and pests that will happily attack new growth.

Give borders a gentle tidy, clear pathways, and sweep patios or decks where algae may have built up in damp weather. If you’re using cleaning products, look for environmentally friendly, plantsafe options to avoid harming nearby beds or containers.

This early tidy also helps you spot any structural issues – broken pots, damaged edging, or loose paving slabs – before the busy growing season kicks in.

2. Give your lawn some love

Grass can look a little sorry for themselves after winter, and spring can be the best time to repair your lawn. Start by raking out moss and thatch to allow air and light back into the grass.

Follow with a spring lawn feed to give it a nutrient boost – nitrogen rich foods help it green up quickly. Scarifying and aerating compacted areas encourages healthy root development.

Once nighttime frosts have passed, re-seed bare patches, keeping them moist until the new grass establishes. If your lawn edges look ragged, recutting them creates an instant sense of order.

3. Reduce, reuse… and compost!

Your garden waste from the cleanup is a valuable resource. Add leaves, stems, and grass clippings to your compost heap, balancing them with “brown” materials such as cardboard or dried twigs to keep the pile healthy.

Turning the heap introduces oxygen and speeds up decomposition, rewarding you with nutrient rich compost that improves soil structure, moisture retention, and microbial life. Even small gardens can benefit from a compact compost bin – and any surplus compost is perfect for using in pots, beds, or vegetable patches.

Mature woman in a checked shirt raking leaves with a wheelbarrow filled with leaves next to her — Getty

4. Warm up the kitchen garden

If you grow your own food, this is planning season. Check what seeds you already have, decide on crop rotation for your beds or containers, and order any missing varieties. Early starters like tomatoes, chillies, and aubergines can be sown indoors or in a heated propagator.

Clean and disinfect pots, trays, and greenhouse surfaces to keep diseases at bay. Making your own seedling pots from yogurt containers, egg boxes, or folded newspaper is economical and brilliant for reducing waste – plus, many of these biodegrade directly into the soil when you plant out your seedlings.

5. Time for a trim

Late winter to early spring is a key pruning window for many shrubs. Before buds swell, potbound plants should be moved into slightly larger containers with fresh compost to boost growth. Delicate or halfhardy plants may need relocating to a sheltered corner or cold frame until temperatures settle.

Create a pruning checklist: shrubs like buddleia, cornus, and climbing roses respond well to a hard prune, helping them produce vigorous, colourful growth later in the season. Always use clean, sharp tools to avoid damaging stems.

Senior woman tidying and removing old stems and leaves in a sheltered garden in early February. — Getty

6. Banish weeds & prep the soil

Weeds take every opportunity to establish themselves early in the year, so tackling them now saves headaches later. Remove them from the root (especially taprooted varieties like dandelions), and dispose of them before they set seed.

Break up compacted soil with a rake or fork to improve drainage and airflow. Adding topsoil or compost enriches the earth, giving perennials and early blooms the best possible foundation. Mulching afterwards helps retain moisture and reduces the return of weeds.

7. Revive your garden furniture

With sunnier days ahead, your outdoor furniture will soon be back in action. Plastic pieces usually just need warm, soapy water to lift grime and algae.

For wooden furniture, start with a scrub to remove winter dirt, then sand any rough patches. Apply a suitable oil, stain, or protective sealant to help it withstand moisture and UV exposure – this not only revives the colour but also prolongs the life of the wood. Fabric cushions may benefit from a wash or a fresh weatherproof protector.

Freshly maintained wooden slat bench under a blossoming cherry tree — Getty

8. Show your tools some TLC

Well cared for tools make gardening jobs safer, easier, and more enjoyable. Clean off soil with a stiff brush, then wash and dry them thoroughly.

Sharpen blades on secateurs, shears, and loppers for cleaner cuts that reduce plant stress. A light coating of oil prevents rust and keeps moving parts smooth. Check handles for splinters or cracks and replace any damaged components before the busy season begins.

Consider organising your tool shed or storage space for quicker access during spring tasks.

See our guide on how to clean secateurs.

9. Spot & stop garden pests

Early detection is your best defence against pests that can cause major damage. Inspect the undersides of leaves for aphids, scale, vine weevil larvae, or caterpillar eggs. Removing pests manually where possible avoids disrupting beneficial insects like ladybirds and bees.

If an infestation is more serious, choose targeted treatments and follow instructions carefully. Encouraging wildlife – such as frogs, hedgehogs, and predatory insects – can naturally help keep many pests in check throughout the season.

10. Protect precious fruit

As fruit trees and bushes begin forming buds, hungry birds and small mammals become more interested. Use wildlifefriendly netting or mesh to protect ripening fruit while still allowing air and light to circulate.

Tie nets securely to avoid entangling wildlife. Providing an alternative food source – such as bird feeders stocked with nuts, seeds, or suet – helps divert animals away from your plants while supporting local species. Regularly check supports on young trees to ensure they haven’t loosened or tilted over the winter.

(Hero image credit: Getty)

Written by: Jennie Buist Brown

Jennie Buist Brown is the Managing Editor of Saga Magazine. She also writes, edits and commissions all the gardening content. She has been a magazine journalist for over 40 years. In her spare time, as well as gardening, she collects and sells antiques.

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