Seasonal guides
Gardening calendars are mostly written for the south of England. Up here, spring starts later inland, autumn is often kinder than April for planting and laying turf, and winter brings gales as much as frost. A northern year, season by season.
Guides by season
Spring
Spring arrives in stages: the coast and sheltered city gardens warm first, while inland gardens and higher ground can see frost well into spring. Hold back tender plants until the risk of frost has passed where you live, and harden off seedlings gradually.
It is a good time to repair winter damage to fences, clear moss from lawns once the ground dries and sow hardy annuals. Heavy clay is often too wet to dig in March; wait until a handful crumbles rather than smears.
Summer
North East summers are often cooler and windier than further south, with dry spells on the east coast. Water new plantings and new turf thoroughly rather than little and often, and let established lawns grow a little longer in dry weather.
Summer is the season to enjoy the garden and look round others; our heritage gardens guide suggests where.
Autumn
For many jobs this is the best season of the year here. The soil is still warm and the rain has returned, so new turf, hedges, shrubs and trees establish well. It is also the time to renovate tired lawns and to plant spring bulbs.
Check fences and sheds before the winter gales, and clear gutters on garden buildings. Read when to lay turf if a new lawn is on your list.
Winter
Keep off frozen or waterlogged lawns and beds. Winter is good for planning: measuring up for next year's projects, getting quotes before the spring rush and pruning trees and shrubs that need it while they are dormant.
After a storm, check fence posts as well as panels. A post that has started to lean is easier to deal with before the next gale. Our fence cost guide explains what repairs and replacements involve.
