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How to prepare your garden for spring

By Bunnings

Well-maintained front garden with trimmed hedges, ornamental grasses and shrubs surrounding a modern home.

Overview

Spring is the perfect time to give your garden a fresh start. After the cooler months, a quick tidy-up can help get your lawn, garden beds and plants looking their best, while making it easier to tackle new planting and outdoor projects. From pruning and weeding to refreshing your lawn and topping up mulch, a few simple jobs now can make a big difference throughout the season.

Steps

  1. 1

    Clean the gutters

    Over the cooler months, leaves and other debris can build up in your gutters and stop rainwater from draining properly. Set up a sturdy ladder on level ground and, if possible, have someone hold the ladder while you work. Climb with both hands free, then use a gutter scoop or gloved hands to remove leaves and debris, placing it into a bucket secured to the ladder or lowered to the ground as needed. Once the gutters are clear, flush them with a garden hose to check that water flows freely through the downpipes. 
    Close-up of a person using a gutter scoop to remove leaves and debris from a roof gutter while standing on a ladder.
  2. 2

    Remove weeds

    Spring is the best time to tackle weeds while they're still young and before they have a chance to spread. Work through your lawn and garden beds, removing as much of the root system as possible to help stop weeds coming back. A weed puller can make lifting deep-rooted weeds much easier, and if the soil is particularly dry, a light watering beforehand will help loosen stubborn roots.
    Close-up of a hand weeding tool lifting grass and weeds from a garden bed beside a lawn edge.
  3. 3

    Remove dead plants

    Take the opportunity to clear away any dead, damaged or diseased plants, along with spent annuals that have finished for the season. Removing old growth instantly freshens up your garden and creates space for new plants to thrive. If you're removing diseased plants, dispose of them in your general waste rather than composting them to help prevent the spread of disease.
    Person wearing gardening gloves removing a dead shrub with exposed roots from a garden bed beside a house.
  4. 4

    Trim overgrown hedges

    If your hedges have become a little unruly over winter, give them a trim to bring them back into shape. Work in smooth, even passes using a hedge trimmer and step back every so often to check the overall shape before trimming any more. Trimming a little at a time is easier than taking too much off at once, especially if the hedge hasn't been maintained for a while.
    Person using a cordless hedge trimmer to shape a garden hedge, wearing ear protection and safety glasses.
  5. 5

    Top dress the lawn

    If your lawn is looking patchy or uneven after winter, a light lawn top dressing can help freshen it up. Spread topsoil evenly over any low areas using the back of a rake, taking care not to bury the grass. A light watering afterwards will help settle the soil and encourage healthy growth as the weather warms.
    Person using a garden rake to spread top dressing evenly across a lawn in a landscaped front yard.
  6. 6

    Mulch garden beds

    Finish your garden beds with a fresh layer of garden mulch to help lock in moisture, suppress weeds and protect the soil as temperatures begin to rise. Spread the mulch evenly to a depth of around 50 to 75 millimetres, keeping it a few centimetres away from the base of plants and tree trunks to allow air to circulate and help prevent rot. With your spring tidy-up complete, your garden is ready to enjoy throughout the warmer months.
    Person pouring pine bark mulch from a bag onto a garden bed surrounded by shrubs and ornamental grasses.
  7. 7

    Ready to start planting?

    Finished your spring garden tidy-up? Check out our Garden Hub for all the ideas and advice you need to bring your garden to life.
  8. 8

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I prepare my garden for spring?

    Start by clearing leaves and debris, removing weeds and unhealthy plants, and trimming overgrown hedges. Prune suitable trees and shrubs, top dress patchy areas of lawn and finish by adding fresh mulch to garden beds.

    When should I remove weeds from my garden?

    Spring is a good time to remove weeds while they are still young and before they spread. Try to remove as much of the root system as possible. If the soil is dry, lightly watering it first can make stubborn roots easier to lift.

    How do I top dress a lawn in spring?

    Spread a light layer of topsoil over patchy or uneven areas using the back of a rake. Avoid burying the grass, then water the area lightly to help settle the soil and encourage healthy growth.

    Should I prune trees and shrubs in early spring?

    You can lightly prune dead, damaged or crossing branches from suitable shrubs, roses and deciduous trees. Check the requirements of each plant before starting, as some varieties should be pruned after flowering rather than in early spring.

    How much mulch should I add to garden beds?

    Spread garden mulch evenly to a depth of around 50 to 75 millimetres. Keep it a few centimetres away from plant bases and tree trunks to support airflow and help prevent rot.

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Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

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