5 gardening jobs to avoid this spring according to experts

There are many key tasks gardeners must take on ahead of the spring, but there are some things to avoid.

From pruning too soon to heavily disturbing the soil, experts have said these are just some of the main garden tasks homeowners should steer clear of this spring.

5 gardening jobs to avoid this spring according to experts

Gardening expert at Hillarys, Luke Newnes, gave his verdict on some jobs to avoid, with the first being around pruning.

He said: “Every spring I see the same mistake play out: people get so excited about a bit of sunshine that they start cutting back and tidying up far too aggressively.

“I completely understand the urge, after months of looking at a messy garden, you want a clean slate, but heavy pruning is one of the worst things you can do at this time of year.

“A lot of plants are just waking up, and taking too much off them now can shock them or remove the very stems that are about to flower.

“I always say to people: if you’re not sure whether something should be cut back in spring, leave it alone until you are.

“It’s far easier to prune later than to undo damage from pruning too soon.”

Another task Mr Newnes warned Brits to steer clear of was “unnecessarily disturbing soil”.

Some of the jobs to avoid include over-pruning and disturbing the soil too much (Image: Getty Images)

He said that early spring is when wildlife, such as bees, beetles and other beneficial insects, are still sheltering in leaf litter and the top layer of soil.

The expert advises giving them a little longer before gardeners start lifting and turning things over.

The third and final key job that Mr Newnes says to avoid is planting tender flowers too early, particularly if they are spotted at garden centres.

He said: “A mild week can lull you into a false sense of security, but one cold night or late frost can undo all that effort.

“I always wait until temperatures have been consistently warm before anything delicate goes in the ground.

“Spring should feel exciting, not frantic. Hold off on the heavy jobs, take stock of what’s coming back to life, and ease yourself and your garden into the season.”

Meanwhile, Alex Biggart, a plant expert from online florist, 123 Flowers, has revealed two other things to avoid.

The first was watering on a schedule, with Alex explaining: “Routine can be helpful in many areas of gardening, making things seem more manageable, especially for beginners; however, watering isn’t one of them.

“Plants don’t follow a strict timetable; they respond to their environment.

“Sticking to a set schedule often leads to overwatering, which can be just as damaging as underwatering.

“Saturated soil can cause root rot, a problem that is often irreversible, so it’s always better to check the soil first and only water when it’s genuinely needed.”

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The expert also warned against ignoring plant spacing and overcrowding plants.

He said: “Plants placed too closely compete for light, nutrients and airflow – weakening them and increasing disease risk.

“Giving each plant space takes patience but leads to a healthier, more attractive garden.”

What gardening jobs will you be doing first this spring? Let us know in the comments.