Sussex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-8.jpg" alt="Tulips in bloom" class="wp-image-63393" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-8.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-8-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>At last, spring is on its way – or is it? We know that sunset is getting later and we’ve more daylight but can we ever really predict what the weather is going to do, never mind how it’ll impact the garden? </p>



<p>Come rain or shine – hail and late-season frosts, too – we&#8217;re all keen to ready our outside spaces for summer lounging. Enter Nick Delves, Assistant Head Gardener at the National Trust’s <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/nymans" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nymans</a>. He sat down with Muddy for a potting shed cuppa and spilled the tea on how to have your garden looking its blooming&#8217; best. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-can-we-do-to-liven-up-our-gardens-while-we-wait-for-the-showstoppers-to-stir"><strong>What can we do to liven up our gardens while we wait for the showstoppers to stir? </strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/5-2.jpg" alt="Gardening projects" class="wp-image-63391" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/5-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/5-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/5-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/5-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/5-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Create a pot display as a focal point to brighten up your garden. Your local nursery will have winter bedding including small evergreens and colourful hardy annuals, including pansies, polyanthus, and violas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-should-we-be-doing-in-our-gardens-now-to-prepare-for-the-main-growing-season"><strong>What should we be doing in our gardens now to prepare for the main growing season?</strong></h2>



<p>It’s a good time of year to mulch around trees and shrubs, and on herbaceous borders. This helps reduce weeds, can add nutrients, helps to retain moisture and visually smartens everything up. Also, finish ordering seeds and start sowing annuals. This can be done in a greenhouse or on a kitchen window sill.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-good-to-plant-right-now"><strong>What&#8217;s good to plant right now?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/2-8.jpg" alt="Gardening tools" class="wp-image-63388" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/2-8.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/2-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/2-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/2-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/2-8-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>It’s a good time to plant trees and shrubs except when the ground is frozen or waterlogged. Bare-root plants, including fruit trees and roses are cheaper than container-grown alternatives and are available at this time of year. And don’t forget to remove old flowers from hardy annuals including pansies, polyanthus, and violas to extend their flowering season. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-should-we-be-weeding-and-pruning-at-the-moment"><strong>Should we be weeding and pruning at the moment?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/spring_gardening_tools_daffs.jpg" alt="Spring gardening with daffodils" class="wp-image-83998" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/spring_gardening_tools_daffs.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/spring_gardening_tools_daffs-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/spring_gardening_tools_daffs-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/03/spring_gardening_tools_daffs-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>As the weather warms up it’s good to get on top of weeds as they emerge. Annuals can be hoed off and perennials dug up. There’s still time to prune apple and pear trees while they’re dormant. This keeps them productive and at a manageable size. Summer flowering shrubs, including buddleja, hardy fuchsias and roses which flower on new wood can be pruned too.</p>



<p>You can also remove dead, damaged, and diseased branches from hardy trees and shrubs. At Nymans we hand weed, and let birds and mammals control our slugs and snails. At home you can remove slugs and snails at night. Grab a torch and get the kids involved. Also, it’s best to stay away from herbicides and pesticides.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-can-we-encourage-wildlife-in-our-gardens"><strong>How can we encourage wildlife in our gardens?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/4-3.jpg" alt="Plant pots" class="wp-image-63390" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/4-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/4-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/4-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/4-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/4-3-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>You can leave seed heads for birds on herbaceous plants before cutting them back in early spring. Let leaves remain on the ground where possible as these are great places for wintering insects, slugs, and snails. Old logs, pine cones and twigs will attract wildlife. Why not create a bug house for insects? You can always set up a feeding station to attract birds into the garden. And provide water especially when conditions are freezing. Also, at this time of year, birds are looking for potential nesting sites so put up a nest box.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-plants-are-trending-for-a-pretty-garden-this-summer"><strong>What plants are trending for a pretty garden this summer?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/1-9.jpg" alt="Spring tulips and daffodils " class="wp-image-63387" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/1-9.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/1-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/1-9-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/1-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/1-9-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Make sure you plan ahead for next year. It’s a good idea to go visit gardens which have winter interest and get some inspiration. At Nymans we have cornus and salix for coloured stems, daphne and sarcococca for fragrance, and holly and viburnum for berries. Early flowering bulbs such as crocus, daffodils, snowdrops (plant now, in the green), and snowflakes cheer up drab days. </p>



<p>There is beauty in evergreen structure including conifers and camellias (which will flower in winter too). Try ornamental grasses which look beautiful when frosted or illuminated by winter sun.</p>



<p>After an increase in drier and hotter summers, drought tolerant plants with a long flowering season will be popular. Salvias are perfect and come in a wide selection of different varieties, like Salvia Curviflora<em> </em>which has deep magenta flowers.</p>



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Bloomin’ lovely: Gardening tips for spring

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