Spring is often seen as a season of abundance, when anything grows and your garden basically takes care of itself. But the reality is that Spring can keep you on your toes as much as any other time of year, and there are plenty of seasonal missteps that can catch even the most experienced gardeners off guard.
This blog is our comprehensive guide to “What Not to Do in Spring.” 10 helpful tips from those who’ve seen it all before – and fallen into the same traps ourselves.
1. Don’t: Skip the planning stages
While you’re probably itching to get stuck in after a long, grey winter, jumping straight into planting without a clear plan can lead to a whole host of issues – from overcrowding to plants that don’t get along. Worse, there’s the wasted time, effort and money involved when plants or seeds don’t take because they’re not getting enough sunlight or the soil wasn’t properly prepared.
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Do: Prep for success
A bit of planning goes a long way toward creating a healthy, successful garden, so make sure you map yours out ahead of time. Consider key factors like sunlight, soil type, plant spacing, and stagger bloom times to keep things colourful all Spring long. Don’t forget to clean, sharpen, and oil your tools before digging in – this will make the job easier and help prevent damage to your plants. Although it’s not the most glamorous task, you’ll thank yourself later. Trust us. 
2. Don’t: Assume you’re good to go
A harsh winter can leave soil compacted, depleted, and lacking vital nutrients – making it less welcoming for new plants. Taking the time to check your soil’s condition or giving it a boost will set the stage for strong roots to take hold.
Do: Test your soil health before planting
You can use an affordable at-home soil pH test kit if you’re feeling fancy, or simply check it by hand. Healthy soil should feel crumbly and moist, not hard or powdery. If it’s good to go, great. If not, you can enrich it with mulch or organic fertilisers. Here’s what we’d do:
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Use an all-purpose fertiliser to give your plants the essential nutrients and minerals they need to thrive.
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Alternatively (or on top of), mulching is every garden’s best friend. For those who aren’t familiar, mulching is the practice of covering the soil surface around your plants with a protective layer of material, like straw, bark, or compost, to improve soil health and plant growth. It conserves moisture, reduces weeds, and helps prevent soil from drying out even in hot weather.
3. Don’t: Prune or plant too soon
At the first sign of longer days, warmer temperatures, and more sunlight, it can be tempting to dig in and start planting. But don’t be too hasty. Early Spring weather can be unpredictable, with late frosts and cold snaps that can damage tender new plants.
The same goes for pruning. While tidying up your garden is always a good idea, be mindful that early pruning can stimulate new growth that may be vulnerable to cold.
Do: Let Spring settle
Wait until soil temperatures are consistently warm (you can check this with a soil thermometer) and start seeds indoors if needed. A little patience now means stronger, healthier plants later.
4. Don’t: Uproot dormant plants
Many perennials and shrubs can look completely lifeless in early Spring – but appearances are deceiving. Even if no growth is visible above ground, they’re often simply conserving energy beneath the surface as they wait for warmer temperatures. Disturbing them too early could damage fragile roots and hinder the plant’s ability to bloom back into life.
Do: Be patient
If you’re unsure whether a plant is dead or just dormant, wait until late Spring before making any final decisions. If patience isn’t your strong suit, try scratching gently on the stem to check for green, rather than pulling the whole plant out too early.
A top tip for next year? Signpost perennial plants using Hoselink’s Slate Plant Labels & Marker Pen Pack. That way you’ll know exactly what’s coming, even if you can’t see it, and where in your garden is up for grabs. 
5. Don’t: Overcrowd your garden
When your garden has been starved of colour for months, we don’t blame you for wanting to pack in as much vibrancy and greenery as possible. But overcrowding can do more harm than good. Too many plants will have to compete for light, water, and nutrients, while poor airflow will create a breeding ground for diseases like mildew and fungal infections.
Do: Give plants room to breathe
Always follow the spacing recommendations on seed packets or plant labels. Proper spacing encourages good airflow, reduces the risk of disease, and allows each plant enough room to grow strong and healthy. Besides, a well-spaced garden is not only healthier but more visually appealing, with each plant able to thrive to its full potential.
6. Don’t: Trust the weather
We probably don’t need to tell you that Spring in Australia is often unpredictable. Winter can hang around longer than expected, keeping temperatures low, or Summer can arrive surprisingly early with intense heat. Relying on perfect conditions could leave your plants vulnerable to a range of issues.
Do: Be ready for anything
Protect young plants from surprise frosts, heavy rains, or scorching sun by using row covers, cold frames, or cloches. If you want something a little more permanent, consider creating your very own greenhouse to give you more control over growing conditions as the weather shifts – something you’ll benefit from year after year.
7. Don’t: Let pests get the better of you
As temperatures rise, so does pest activity. Aphids, snails, caterpillars, and other unwanted visitors can sneak in and start damaging tender new growth before you’ve even noticed. Ignoring early signs can lead to infestations that are much harder to control once they’ve established.
Do: Start monitoring early
Get ahead of pests by checking your plants regularly. Look under leaves, along stems, and at the base of plants for signs of trouble. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs, and use organic deterrents or traps when necessary. You never know, a little vigilance now could save your garden from a full-blown pest problem later in the season.
8. Don’t: Over or underwater
Although new plantings require consistent, deep watering, many people tend to overcompensate, increasing the risk of root rot and wasting water. Others go completely the other way, trusting that Spring showers alone will do the work for them.
Do: Water wisely
Be mindful about how much water you’re using – for your plant’s sake and the environment. You only need to water when soil feels dry to the touch (you can check by sticking your finger an inch or two into the ground). If it needs a refresh, water slowly and deeply near the base of the plant, targeting roots directly and avoiding the leaves, which can invite disease if they get too wet. On hot days especially, water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation (another water-saving tip).
To take back control of watering completely, consider using helpful tools like Hoselink’s DIY Irrigation Kits – 3 fully automated irrigation systems designed to suit your garden layout and specific watering needs – or our Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel, which comes with our patented no-leak, no-burst hose fittings and a new and improved Comfort 8-Pattern Flow Control Sprayer for a more precise watering experience.
9. Don’t: Neglect the lawn
While fresh blooms are always the star of Spring, your lawn plays a crucial supporting role, either tying everything together visually or contrasting perfectly against colourful flowerbeds. Equally, a dull or neglected lawn can distract from even the most stunning displays.
Do: Give your grass a refresh
Start by aerating the surface of your lawn with a garden fork to help sun penetrate deep into the soil. Follow with a thorough mow, as keeping your lawn trimmed to one height allows nutrients to be absorbed at a consistent rate and promotes the overall health of your grass, soil, and root system. Finally, enlist the help of Hoselink’s 3-Day Green Lawn Fertiliser Concentrate to give your lawn a boost. It’s packed with nitrogen, magnesium, iron, and potassium to support growth above and below ground, and will leave your lawn looking fresh and vibrant deep into the season.
10. Don’t: Lose sight of the end goal
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all there is to do in Spring. But even when things go wrong – if plants fail, the weather thwarts you, or pests slip through the net – just remember that it’s all part of the process. We promise you’ll appreciate your hard work all the more come summer.
Do: Sit back and enjoy
In the meantime, take a moment to appreciate the small wins: a sprouting seed, a wonky homegrown vegetable, family time in the garden. Because the joy of gardening isn’t just in the results – it’s about getting outdoors and spending time in nature, whatever Spring brings your way.
