Watering and Monitoring Growth
- Check newly planted trees and shrubs for signs of water shortage, especially during dry spells.
- Water heavily to reach the roots when needed.
- Ensure young trees have weed-free conditions for the first five years and a weed-free circle of at least one meter in diameter.
Pruning and Trimming
- Prune spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia, kerria, and spring spirea as they finish flowering, if necessary.
- Trim hedges that were not clipped earlier or have made early growth.
Rose Care
- Spray roses against blackspot disease regularly, especially before and after wet weather.
- Watch for a buildup of greenflies on roses.
- Prune rose bushes without delay when growth is underway.
Planting and Transplanting
- Plant broad-leaved and coniferous evergreens when sap is rising for quicker root development.
- There is still time to plant root-balled evergreens as most will be coming into growth.
- Magnolias can be planted now in flower as roots are active around the same time.
Maintenance and Support
- Control weeds and grass at the base of young trees to remove competition.
- Check ties on wall shrubs to ensure they are not too tight as shoots expand during the growing season.
- Check ties on all staked trees before the new season expansion.
- Pot on any cuttings of trees and shrubs taken last summer and autumn if they are showing new growth.
