Spring is the best time to prepare your border for its summer display - before the herbaceous perennials start to grow in earnest. In a mixed border containing shrubs, climbers, perennials and bulbs there will be an assortment of tasks from pruning to feeding.

Bulbs

Bulbs need little care whilst they are flowering, but remove the faded flowers promptly as this will encourage the stem and leaves to build up food reserves for next years bulbs. Leave the foliage to die down after flowering.

Herbaceous Perennials

Any herbaceous perennials that were not cut back in the autumn can have their dead top growth cut off now using secateurs, this can then be composted. Put in any supports for plants that need them by late spring.

Shrubs and Climbers

The majority of pruning is done in spring and any shrubs and climbers that benefit from pruning can be dealt with now (see the section on Pruning for more information). Collect up the prunings for shredding then composting.

Climbers should have their ties checked; loosen any that are tight and cutting into the stems, tie in any free stems using raffia or garden string. If climbers and shrubs look dead, wait until May before removing them as they may shoot up late from the base of the plant.

Feeding

The amount of feeding your border need will depend on the types of plant you are growing, your soil and what sort of mulch you will be using.

If you have a chalky, sandy or other free-draining soil, apply a general balanced fertilizer; this may be in the form of powder or granules applied dry to the soil surface and lightly forked. If rain is not forecast, this dry fertilizer should be watered in. A balanced liquid feed should be applied every month in the summer time - this will encourage good growth and discourage fungal attack.

A 5 cm deep loose mulch such as well-rotted manure or bark chips should be applied to borders by the end of March. This will help keep the border weed-free and conserve moisture in the soil.

Weeding

Spring is a good time to tackle any weeds. Annual weed seedlings can be removed using a hoe or other hand weeder, whilst perennial weeds with their bigger roots can be dug out or treated with a spot weeder.