Seven ways to spruce up your garage and yard for spring

As the temperature rises and bulbs start to bloom, it’s exciting to think about fun in the sun and periods of lush garden growth. Before we get there, here are seven not-so-obvious items to tick off your outdoors to-do list.

GIVE POTTED PLANTS SOME LOVE

Spring is a great time to re-pot plants that have outgrown their habitat - before they get too dry and difficult to remove from pots. Have the new pot ready by using this simple method:

• Add a layer of potting mix to the new pot.
• Place the old pot inside - now adjust the base soil level so that the plant is sitting at the correct height, leaving about 5cm to the rim of the pot.
• Add potting mix around the edges and pat down gently, until you have potted the old plant + pot into the new container.
• Now, remove the old plant + pot and you have the perfect sized and shaped hole to re-pot into! 
• Gently tease the soil around the roots to make sure it’s not badly compacted.
• Place into the prepared pot and water well, letting it drain fully before placing it on a plant saucer.

General care of container plants

Trim off dead growth and feed with potted plant fertiliser. Scrub pots with a scrubbing brush and water if they have moss growing or grit stuck on them. Replace saucers if these have been removed for winter.

Above, clockwise from left: Check the roots before re-potting, trim off damaged growth and gently tease the root ball; Indoor plants can benefit from a day in the spring rain; scrub old pots so as not to contaminate new plants.

SPRING CLEAN THE GARAGE

Now’s the time to get this job done, before the heat of summer. While you’re at it, summer sports gear can be unearthed and cleaned up, ready to go as soon as the heat is on! Got too much stuff? Take steps to declutter.

Do you have a garage but need more space for living? Check out these garage transformation ideas.

WEEDING

When there has been a lot of rain, the soil will be softer to work with and weeds are easier to pull. Weeds will have taken advantage of the warmer, wet weather to thrive, so they’re larger, which also makes it easier to get a grip on them.

Above, left to right: Take care of weeding now while the soil is soft; ensure the new hole is spacious when transplanting; gardening is a great life skill for kids to learn.

TRANSPLANTING

Transplanting is another task that’s good to do after a rainy period. Do you notice any plants that are getting sheltered by others so their growth is stunted, or are they getting too much / not enough shade? Dig them up when the soil is soft and there’s less chance of damaging their roots. Have the new hole dug beforehand so that there is minimal time between transplanting to lessen the shock. 

Tip: Always dig the hole larger than you think you’ll need so that the plant can be positioned gently with the roots in their most natural position.

Above, left to right: Seedlings need two sets of leaves before they are strong enough to plant out; These seedling trays can be planted directly into the garden; Here's a novel way to create your own seedling containers - plant the roll with the seedling.

PREP FOR THE GROWING SEASON AHEAD

Clear garden beds of old growth, dig over the top layer and add compost and extra topsoil if the soil has compacted. It’s best to give it a few weeks now before planting.

Get online and order some seeds. Follow packet instructions and take care to keep the tiny plants protected until they are ready to plant out - when the second layer of leaves form.

Add mulch to established garden plots to help them retain moisture before the weather heats up.

START A COMPOST

Composting is one of the best ways you can minimise your landfill impact and help to reduce carbon emissions. It also makes for a less smelly rubbish bin and you’ll be surprised at how little trash you end up with. Even if you don’t use the compost you’ve created, it will gradually rot down and as long as you don’t add animal products, it won’t smell. Either purchase one of the many compost bins on the market and use it daily for all vegetable waste or simply create a heap in a quiet corner where you can pile grass clippings and garden trimmings.

Tip: There are some golden rules of composting: Only add vegetable and fruit scraps, along with dried leaves and grass clippings, never meat scraps as these will attract vermin; Compost needs air circulation of some kind to work; To make good compost it’s best to create layers using your food scraps, brown plant matter, grass clippings and uncoated, unprinted paper. 

Above, clockwise from top left: Fruit & vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and uncoated paper can go into your home compost; You can create a compost heap if you don't have a bin; When citrus is abundant, don't let it rot on the ground, see below for the reasons why.

SHARE THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOUR

Got citrus coming out of your ears? Rotting fruit at the base of trees can encourage pests and disease, so it’s wise to pick up anything that has fallen rather than leaving it to decompose. Why not leave your excess in a box at your gate for neighbours to use?

When your outdoor tasks include installing a new garage door, get the door kiwis have relied on for over 50 years, get a Garador Garage Door.

Back to articles