There’s something about early spring in Cambridge that feels full of quiet possibility. The light lingers a little longer, the air softens, and suddenly the city’s gardens, window boxes and allotments begin to wake up.
It’s the moment when many of us step outside and start thinking about what the garden might become this year.
To get some guidance on where to start, we spoke to Cambridge-based garden designer Tim Jennings about the small things that can make the biggest difference in March and April.
For Tim, the real focus of early spring isn’t dramatic planting schemes, but something much more foundational.
“March and April are really about preparing the garden for the year ahead,” he explains. “Improving the soil is one of the most valuable things you can do now. Adding compost or well-rotted organic matter will quietly transform how plants perform through the whole season.”
It’s also a time to resist the urge to rush into a full garden tidy.
“One of the most common mistakes is cutting everything back too quickly,” Tim says.
“Many stems and seed heads provide shelter for insects over winter. I often suggest clearing gradually as the weather warms rather than rushing to tidy everything at once.”
For those looking ahead to summer colour, he recommends keeping things simple.
“Planting a small group of reliable, long-flowering perennials such as salvias, nepeta or echinacea will give months of colour and attract pollinators well into autumn.”
And right now, there are certain plants that really come into their own.
“Hellebores, pulmonaria and primroses are wonderful in early spring. They bring gentle colour when little else is happening and provide important nectar for bees emerging from winter.”
Finally, if there’s space, Tim suggests thinking about the longer view.
“If you can, planting a tree is one of the best decisions you can make. Trees bring structure, shade and seasonal change, and over time they give a garden a real sense of maturity and atmosphere.”
Early spring gardening, it seems, isn’t about rushing ahead. It’s about setting the stage for everything that follows. 🌿
To contact Tim, please visit http://www.timjenningsdesign.co.uk/