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Seasonal Guide
Spring
Gardening Companion
Discover what to do in your garden every month with expert guidance and the right RYOBI® tools and tips for the seasons.
Additional Tasks
What to do in Spring
Lawn Care
Soil Care & Digging
Patio, Decking and Driveway
Trees, Shrubs and Hedge Care
Plant Care
Spring is the season of renewal. The days are getting longer, and the garden is waking up from its winter slumber. For the aspiring gardener, this is the most exciting time of year – but it's also the busiest. While planting and mowing often grab the headlines, true spring garden preparation involves a host of supporting tasks that set the foundation for a successful year. Whether it's managing water sustainability or rejuvenating tired lawns, these jobs make the difference between a garden that simply survives and one that truly thrives. With the right approach and gardening tools at your disposal, these tasks don't have to be chores. Here's your comprehensive guide to the essential additional tasks to tackle this spring.
Mulching is the unsung hero of the spring garden. It involves applying a thick layer of material over the soil surface, and the benefits are threefold – it locks in moisture, suppresses weeds and improves soil texture.
Apply a generous layer of organic mulch for vegetable beds around your young plants. You can use garden compost, leaf mould or well-rotted manure. This protective blanket keeps the sun off the soil, preventing evaporation and keeping the roots cool and moist when warmer weather arrives.
Weeds are the first things to recover in spring. By suppressing weeds with mulch, you block the light they need to germinate. This significantly reduces the amount of time you’ll spend weeding later in the year, leaving you more time to enjoy your garden projects.
Winter can be tough on lawns. Moss, shade, rainfall and frost often leave grass looking patchy or thin. Spring is the ideal window to repair the damage before the summer outdoor traffic begins.
Whether you are fixing bare patches or sowing a brand-new area, even seed distribution is key. Spring lawn seeding tips often focus on soil prep, but how you spread the seed matters just as much. Scattering by hand often leads to clumping, resulting in uneven growth and waste. For a uniform finish, use the RYOBI 18V ONE+™ Cordless Lawn Seed Spreader. This tool allows you to control flow rate and spread width, ensuring your grass seed – or even wildflower mixes – are distributed evenly. It's a simple upgrade that delivers a professional-looking lawn.
A thriving garden isn't just about plants – it's about the hardscaping and structures that frame them. Winter often leaves a layer of grime and algae that needs addressing.
Green algae on decking, slimy pathways and dirty planters can make your garden look neglected. Power washing garden furniture and hard surfaces is the quickest way to lift this winter grime and reveal the fresh colours underneath. The RYOBI 18V ONE+™ HP Cordless Brushless Power Washer is suited for this. Being cordless, you aren't tethered to a tap or a plug socket. You can take it to the furthest corner of the garden to clean pots, furniture or trellises, using the 6m syphoning hose to draw water from a bucket or water butt if needed.
Tidy edges are the signature of a well-kept garden. Redefine the lines between your lawn and your plant beds using an edging tool or strimmer. Remove any debris or dead leaves that have accumulated over winter to give your garden an instant refresh.
It's much easier to install supports before the plants need them than to wrestle a fully grown plant into a frame later. Add canes, stakes and netting now for climbing plants like sweet peas, beans and clematis. This ensures they have the structure they need the moment they start their rapid spring growth.
Your tools are your partners in every project. Take an afternoon to clean, oil and sharpen any manually operated garden tools or invest in battery-powered shears and secateurs. Check your ONE+™ batteries and chargers to ensure everything is powered up and ready to go. A little maintenance now prevents frustration when you are mid-project.
Your garden is a haven for wildlife. Birds and pollinators are working just as hard as you are in spring. Clean out bird feeders to prevent the spread of disease and top them up with seed. Fill bird baths with fresh water. As insects emerge from hibernation, ensure there are water sources and shelter available to welcome them back. You could also consider planting a variety of wildflowers to encourage pollinators like butterflies and bees to your outdoor space, while simultaneously adding a dazzling array of colour to your garden. The 18V ONE+™ Cordless Handheld Auger will have your bulbs embedded in your growing area within seconds and with no fuss just controlled soil extraction to the same depth, every time.
When should I start rainwater collection for gardening?
You should keep your water butts active year-round, but spring is the critical time to check them. Winter rainfall provides the best opportunity to fill your tanks before the drier months. Ensure gutters are clean in early spring to capture every drop of the April showers.
What is the benefit of using liquid feed for vegetables?
Liquid feeds are fast-acting. Because the nutrients are dissolved in water, they can be absorbed almost instantly by the plant's roots and leaves. This is perfect for spring, when plants are growing rapidly and have an immediate demand for energy and sustenance.
Is power washing garden furniture safe for all materials?
Generally, yes, but water pressure matters. Hardwoods and metals are usually fine but be careful with softer woods or painted surfaces. Using a RYOBI Power Washer is an excellent choice because it offers portable, controlled cleaning power that is effective against algae without being as aggressive as some heavy-duty industrial washers.
How do I clear wet leaves from my lawn in spring?
Raking wet, heavy leaves that have sat on your lawn over winter is hard work but clearing them is essential to let light reach the grass. A cordless blower is the most efficient solution. They are powerful enough to shift damp debris from lawns and flowerbeds, saving your back and getting the job done in minutes.
How do I remove weeds from patio paving without chemicals?
Spring warmth often causes weeds to shoot up between paving slabs. Instead of using harsh chemicals or spending hours scraping on your knees, opt for a battery-powered solution. The RYOBI 18V ONE+™ Cordless Patio Cleaner uses a rotating wire brush to power through weeds and moss in the gaps between paving slabs, giving your patio an instant facelift.
Tackling these additional spring tasks sets the trajectory for your garden's success this year. It transforms your outdoor space from a winter worry into a summer sanctuary. RYOBI’s ONE+™ cordless range is designed to make these jobs feel less like hard labour and more like satisfying projects that have a goal in sight. Whether you are spraying, spreading, pumping or washing, the ability to switch the same 18V battery between over 200 tools means you're always ready for your next task. Discover the full range of garden tools and equip yourself for a season of growth. For more expert advice and project inspiration, visit our learning hub.