Spring sets the tone for the rest of the gardening year. Get the prep right now and you save yourself a lot of catch-up work through summer. The five steps below cover the basics that make the biggest difference, plus five reliable trees that thrive when planted in spring.
Step 1: Clean up and assess
Start by clearing winter debris, dead growth and any frost-damaged branches. Walk the garden and note what worked, what didn't, and where the gaps are. A tidy site lets you see what you're working with.
Step 2: Refresh the soil
Spring is the right time to top up mulch, add compost and aerate compacted ground. If you're planning a major planting, run a soil test first. A 5-10cm layer of mulch over the root zone of your trees retains moisture and suppresses weeds through summer.
Step 3: Prune deciduous trees
Late winter and early spring are ideal for shaping deciduous trees before active growth kicks in. Remove deadwood, crossing branches and any damage from winter. Don't over-prune flowering species before bloom.
Step 4: Plant new trees
Spring is the prime planting window. Warming soil means roots establish fast, ahead of summer heat. Choose trees that suit your site, dig wide planting holes, water deeply and mulch.
Step 5: Set up the watering plan
Spring rain is unreliable. Set up drippers, soaker hoses or a deep-watering routine before summer hits. Young trees need consistent water through their first two summers.
Five trees that suit spring planting
Natchez White Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez')
Fast-growing deciduous flowering tree that establishes quickly in spring and rewards with summer flowers in the same season.
Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana)
Plant in spring after the flower display so roots can settle in before summer heat. Reliable feature tree for cool to temperate gardens.
Olive Tree (Olea europaea)
Evergreen Mediterranean classic. Spring planting allows roots to establish through the warm months before winter dormancy.
Orange Jasmine (Murraya paniculata)
Fragrant evergreen hedge that takes off in spring. Useful for boundary screens and courtyard planting in warm climates.
Snow Pear (Pyrus nivalis)
Silver-leaved deciduous feature tree that establishes well in spring. Frost-hardy, drought-tolerant and elegant.
Tackle the five steps above, get the right tree in the ground, and you set yourself up for a strong gardening year. Browse the full range to find the picks that suit your site.
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