Spring in the garden

The season of beginnings. Spring asks you to do less than you think — a few small acts, repeated, set up everything that follows. Here's what's actually worth your ten minutes.

The task library

Small acts, in order

6 tasks — work through them whenever you have ten minutes.

Cut back last year's dead stems

Quick

Leave a few standing for solitary bees, but clear the obvious dead wood.

Top-dress containers with fresh compost

Weekend

An inch of new compost refreshes nutrients without repotting.

Sow hardy annuals direct

Quick

Calendula and nigella can go straight into the soil now.

Weed the first flush

Quick

Catch them small — ten minutes now saves hours in summer.

Check supports are in place

This month

Stake peonies and tall perennials before they need it.

Mulch open beds

Weekend

A layer of compost locks in moisture and suppresses weeds.

Make it yours

Track your progress

Tick off what you've done. Your progress saves to this device.

Your interactive checklist

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Spring guidance

Get the printable spring guide

All 6 tasks as a PDF — plus a spring letter from Alex each Sunday.