Spring is here – this is what you can do now

As the first warming rays of sunshine reach us and winter retreats, the gardening season can truly begin, with flowers in beds and pots, as well as sowing seeds for pelargoniums and Verbena bonariensis. Small-flowered daffodils are wonderful for decorating, as are pansies, pelargoniums, violets, and tulips.

First of all, it's a good idea to start with this:

• Wash all pots and tools – otherwise, there's a risk of plant diseases being transferred to new plants.
• Clean up in the garden and on the balcony – cut down and trim perennials.
• Rake away leaves and old fallen fruit from autumn (if you didn't already do it in the fall).
• Give the lawn nutrients when it has dried up and started to grow.
• Remove moss with a metal rake.
• Put last year's compost in beds and the kitchen garden.
• Remove weeds now – then you avoid the heavy work in summer.
• Prune roses and fruit trees such as apples and pears.
• Trees with stone fruits such as plums, cherries, peaches, and sweet cherries are sensitive and must be pruned carefully – only take younger branches to avoid excessively large wound surfaces. Remove dead and damaged branches. Use a sturdy ladder if necessary.

Once you've finished the preparatory groundwork, the garden is ready to be filled with plants again. Now is the time to fill pots with good quality potting soil, leca pebbles, and various spring flowers. Pansies in beautiful colors immediately brighten up a bare spring garden. They like cool spring air, and the best thing is that they tolerate frost.

• Replenish with fresh, nutrient-rich flower soil.
• Perennials can be dug up and divided if they have become large.
• Sow summer flowers and vegetables indoors in advance and plant them out when the risk of frost is over.
• When it gets warmer, it's time to sow parsley, dill, broad beans, and lettuce directly outdoors. The soil must be at least five degrees.

Don't forget the outdoor furniture, the blanket, the coffee, and the cookies – celebrate your day's work in the garden or on the balcony with a coffee break in the sun. Spring is finally here!

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• Tips and tricks - Garden care