Mark's 10 top-tips to a fabulous garden

Estates Team Leader, Mark Quinn this month is sharing how you can create the garden of your dreams to celebrate community garden week.

“Being outside with nature is really good for your health and wellbeing”, explains Mark.

“Spending time enjoying your garden getting sun exposure and a healthy dose of vitamin-D can really help with your mental health by uplifting your mood. It’s great for your physical health and could even help you burn up to 500 calories depending on the activity.

“Gardening is also a really great way to get people together! I’ve seen lots of communities across Staffs Housing’s schemes where people have come together to create a space everyone can enjoy. It’s a great way to meet new people and to feel more connected if you’re feeling low, isolated, or alone.

“I’ve worked in the gardening team at Staffs Housing for over 30 years. I manage the gardening team who are responsible for maintaining communal green spaces in and around your home.

“This community garden week, I’m sharing my expertise by giving away some helpful hints and tips that I’ve learnt over the years, to help you achieve the garden of your dreams. No matter how big or small your green space is, gardening is a fun activity that can and should be enjoyed by all.”

1. Get weeding!
   Spring is an important time to get rid of any weeds that may take away any light or water from plants you do want in your garden. If you have borders, it’s also a great time to tidy them up too, just make sure that the soil is moist when you do it.
   
   
2. Get pruning!
   Early spring is a great time to prune any plants or flowers that need pruning like hydrangeas or roses. To prune, look for a healthy strong bud and then cut the old flowerheads back to just above them. This will encourage your flowers to regrow again from the base.
   
   
3. Spot the wildlife!
   When you’re out gardening at this time of the year, make sure you take care not to disturb any wildlife like nesting birds. Always check bushes carefully before pruning or look out for hedgehogs when mowing your lawn at this time of the year.
   
   
4. Attract pollinators!
   To make sure your green space thrives, you’ll need to encourage pollinators like bees to visit, because they’ll help your plants grow. With lots out there to choose from, it’s important to know which plants will be most attractive to pollinators like bees. Opting for flat and shallow blossom plants like daisies, abelia, lungwort, and crocus. Colourful flowers with shades of blue, purple, or yellow are also more attractive too.
   
   
5. Grow it in a container!
   If you have a small green space, like a patio, balcony, or window box why not try container growing. It’s a quick and easy way to grow plants, flowers, fruit, vegetables, or herbs without taking up lots of space. Bulbs are great for this because they can be replanted each year, herbs like parsley, basil, and thyme will also grow well in pots which you could even place in your kitchen window for easy access!
   
   
6. Get cleaning!
   This time of year is a great opportunity to clean your patio or garden furniture. Simply wash with warm soapy water and wipe away any dirt or moss. Once you’ve given it a good once over, simply rinse it off with some clean water and it will feel as good as new.
   
   If you have concrete flags or paving in your garden, the winter months will leave a build-up of moss and algae which can be very slippery! Enjoy your garden properly this Spring by giving it a good clean. Believe it or not, you don’t need any special equipment to do it. Instead, one of the most effective ways to clean a patio is with washing-up liquid mixed with warm water and a scrubbing brush.
   
   
7. Get cutting!
   April is the perfect time to start cutting your lawn again, but avoid cutting it below 4cm. If you have any dead patches, it’s also a great time to repair them. Simply aerate the patches with a pitchfork, lay some seeds, and water them generously.
   
   
8. Get together!
   If you live in a scheme or community with a shared green space, why not get together to create your very own gardening club. It’s a great way to get social, stay active, and get out of your home. You could try speaking to your neighbours about chipping in for flowers, plants, or vegetables that will help to lift people’s spirits as they walk past.
   
   
9. Get ordering!
   Once you’ve found the flowers, plants, or herbs you want to keep in your green space buy them. They don’t have to be expensive, and you can get bulbs, and seeds from your local DIY or bargain store from as little as 99p.
   
   
10. Enjoy it!
    The most important part of gardening is to make sure you find the time to sit back and enjoy the space and your hard work one you’re finished. You could even make a morning or afternoon routine to sit in your garden and enjoy a cuppa or read a book surrounded by your hard work.