I’m a gardening pro… five tasks to compete to make your garden is ready for Spring – leave them & you’re doomed

AS the temperatures slowly drop and the mornings get darker, most of us have probably long forgotten about gardening.

But according to one expert, just because winter’s creeping around the corner doesn’t mean you can neglect the green space – there are still a few tasks to complete before spring.

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It’s tempting to neglect the garden once autumn arrives – but this could destroy all the hard work[/caption]

Chatting exclusively to Fabulous, Chris Bonnett, from Gardening Express, listed the five jobs to complete the upcoming weekend – leave them too late and you’re doomed.

Rake the fallen leaves

There are some chores that can be skipped – but according to Chris, who recently revealed the viral TikTok gardening hacks to steer clear or – failing to rake the fallen leaves is not one of them.

”It’s important to get rid of the fallen leaves because if they pile up they will suffocate the lawn and provide a haven for pests and fungi spores.

”Alternatively, if you’ve got a mower with a mulching attachment then you can use it to shred the leaves into small pieces and leave them on the ground where they will decompose into the soil and act as a natural fertiliser.”

Aerate the soil

Avid gardeners will know that the health of any plant and grass hugely depends on how healthy and nutritious the soil is – and here, aerating pays a key role.

”Aeration is done by poking small holes in the land with a plug or spike aerator to improve air circulation in the soil and to allow water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots,” he explained.

Prune shrubs and trees

Sharing his tips and tricks, Chris said that pruning ”will protect your plants over the winter and help them come back stronger and sturdier in spring”.

”Tidying up the trees and shrubs will remove the damaged sections and diseases before they have a chance to spread and it will also allow more sunlight to access the garden, which will benefit the surrounding plants.”

Protect plants from winter damage

It’s not just us who need to layer up to survive the harsh winter conditions – delicate and fragile plants need extra care this season too.

Chris recommended: ”Provide better shelter for your vulnerable plants by moving them inside the house or into a greenhouse, or place them against walls or fences.

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”Alternatively, you can try adding mulch, covering up and staking plants to provide protection from winter frosts and winds.”

Apply compost

Cheap and easy to make, compost is a simple way to add an instant nutritional boost to the soil – and according to the gardening guru, you should apply the matter before the first frost.

”Add compost to your beds before the first frosts arrive for healthier plants next year.

”It’s an eco-friendly way to provide energy to the soil so that the plants are able to withstand the cooler temperatures.

”Either fork the compost in or lay it on top if you have raised beds.”

Chris Bonnett