Spring is when our gardens really come alive — and there are three simple tasks that give you the biggest payoff in colour, health and growth. Nail these, and your garden will look amazing all season long.

1. Fertilise (Plants & Lawns)

Your plants and lawns are coming off a lean winter, so Spring is the time to give them the nutrients they’ve been missing. Use a balanced fertiliser to boost growth, flower production and green up your lawn. For flowering plants, a fertiliser with a higher phosphorus content (the “middle number” in N-P-K ratios) helps with blooms.  After applying the fertiliser, water well so the nutrients soak into the soil rather than staying on top.

2. Mulch Gardens

Mulching is like giving your soil a blanket.  It protects, nourishes and helps keep things tidy. A good layer of organic mulch helps retain moisture (so you don’t have to water as much), suppresses weeds, reduces soil temperature fluctuations and gradually enriches the soil as it breaks down.

Tips for doing it well:

• Remove old mulch or debris first and pull weeds so you’re starting clean.

• Apply mulch to about 5-10 cm deep; enough to cover but not smother your plants. Don’t pile it against plant stems or tree trunks.

• Use organic mulches like bark chips, compost, or straw for best results.

3. Make Sure to Irrigate Well

With warmer weather on its way, plants will demand more water – especially in the case of young seedlings, newly planted shrubs and lawns. Good watering now helps roots establish strong, so plants can better withstand heat later in the season.

Some useful tips:

• Water early in the morning (or late afternoon) to reduce evaporation.

• Use slow, deep watering instead of light frequent sprays.  This helps to get water down around roots where it counts.

• If you have an irrigation system or drip lines, check for leaks, blocked nozzles, or uneven coverage.

• After mulching, watering is more effective because mulch holds moisture in the soil.