IN terms of getting outside and gardening – Easter Weekend is one of the big ones. 

And it’s not just because our local garden centres and TV presenters are telling us so.

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Nature’s playing a big part too. 

Not only is it hinting at the joys to come as bulbs burst through – but the soil has warmed up, weeds are incoming and thanks to the recent rain, everything’s looking rather lush. 

Here’s my top five tips to make the most of the long weekend. 

TIDY UP

You know what they say – a tidy outside is a tidy mind (sort of). So get out there and sort out your storage, wipe your greenhouse glass panes, organise your shed, get your seed packets in order, clean and sharpen your tools – it will genuinely make you feel better mentally and more in shape for the season to come. 

LAWN CARE

Now is the time to start your lawn care regime – you can scarify (get rid of all the detritus on top) with a rake, aerate by digging a fork in over and over – and then reseed the bare patches. Or cut turf to the size you want, You can also give it a good spring feed. And then depending on the weather, water water water your lawn.

If you do choose to seed a new lawn – I would suggest covering the newly laid lawn with garden fleece.

Not only will it stop birds eating the seeds, it will keep the soil warm and prevent wind damage. 

This in turn, will lead to a stronger, lusher lawn.

TEMU is currently selling various selections of garden fleece – starting at £3.65

SUMMER BULBS

If you can find space among all the late flowering daffodils, tulips and early alliums (why has nothing come out when it was supposed to in my garden this year?) then get in your summer bulbs. Dahlias, gladioli, lilies, peonies, agapanthus, and calla and canna lilies will all bring beautiful colours and scent to your outside space. What’s more, apart from agapanthus, they’re all container-friendly. 

YouGarden have a 50 per cent off sale at the moment on Summer Bulb packs.

SOW SEEDS

Plant sweetpeas, sunflowers, marigolds, poppies, nigella, hollyhocks  and wildflowers in small pots or trays –  and tomatoes and cucumbers under cover, then carrots, peas, beetroots,  sweetcorn, runner beans, peas and microgreens straight into the soil. 

PRUNING AND WEEDING

It’s good to know that when the weeds start coming through – it means the soil is ready to plant in. On the flipside – it means you need to start weeding. At this early stage hoeing is a good option – leaving the seedlings on top of the earth to dry out – and might reduce your workload later on. Also cut lavender plants back and divide grasses. 

Also in Veronica’s Column this week…

Win a £10k garden makeover, the chance to create a posy for King Charles or a prestigious ‘Best Garden’ award – and the chance to win a Hedgehog Bundle from Ark Wildlife worth over £100

COMPETITION! One lucky gardener has the chance to create a posy for King Charles. The Royal Windsor Flower Show is running a nationwide competition to find the perfect posy to be presented to His Majesty The King – and displayed on his real life breakfast table. The only caveat is that you have to be able to take it to the flower show on Saturday June 7.  The rules are as follows:

• Materials: Fragrant, seasonal garden flowers and foliage
• Display: Staged in a container, pot, or vase containing water to maintain freshness (no accessories or floral foam permitted)
• Size Restrictions: Finished design must be no taller than 18cm (7 inches) and no wider than 18cm (7 inches) in diameter or along its longest edge

Alan Titchmarsh and renowned Florist Yan Skates will be the judges. 

For more information visit www.rwrhs.com/royal-windsor-flower-show

COMPETITION! Established in 1910 by Queen Mary to honour horticultural excellence in the capital – The London Gardens Society is running a competition to find the best outside space in and around the city. If you think you’ve got what it takes – whether its a wonderful front or back garden, window boxes, balcony or pot display or you’re involved in a pub, restaurant, hospital, fire or ambulance station, hotel or almshouse and think it deserves a prize visit their website to find out more.

COMPETITION! Calor Gas and Gardeners World Presenter Adam Frost are launching a nationwide search for a deserving Brit to receive a garden makeover worth £10,000. For more information visit  www.calor.co.uk/adamfrost

COMPETITION! Give your garden’s spikiest visitor a warm welcome! Ark Wildlife is giving three lucky readers the chance to win a Hedgehog Starter Pack worth over £100 – packed with everything needed to create the perfect little hideaway. Each kit is complete with a hedgehog house, Ark Wildlife’s original hedgehog food, bowls, bedding and a handy guide to help you look after your nocturnal guests. To enter visit www.thesun.co.uk/ARK or write to Sun Ark Wildlife competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK

For more gardening tips and competitions follow me @biros_and_bloom