How to prepare your garden to flourish this spring <3

Today I’m going to share a few tips on how to prepare your garden this spring! If you know me personally, you will most likely know that I am a keen gardener, and it all started when we bought our house 4 years ago. Before that, I had never even cut a lawn, lol! The house that we bought is an ex-council house, and we live on the end of a block of four, and our garden is pretty big. Which, of course, when you buy the house, you think, "Oh great!" But it has taken a lot of work each summer to get it where it is today, and I have made plenty of mistakes along the way! If there is one thing I have learned, it is that by taking an eco-friendly approach, you’ll not only create a flourishing sanctuary but also reap the rewards of sustainability and self-sufficiency—a gift that keeps giving, especially when shared with the kids.

 Spring cleanup doesn’t have to mean chemicals and synthetic fertilizers. Start by clearing away fallen leaves and dead foliage, which can go straight into a compost pile. You can cut back anything that is dead from your shrubs and plant anything new in your garden, ready to grow this summer, such as plants, shrubs, trees, and bulbs. You can also test your soil's pH naturally with at-home methods (like vinegar and baking soda tests) to gauge what it needs. Once the soil’s ready, nourish it with rich compost to boost its fertility and structure.

 Home composting is a game changer. It transforms kitchen scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich gold for your soil. We bought a huge compost bin last spring and can’t believe how full it now is! It feels so great to be reusing our waste towards growing our own plants and veg.

Here’s how you can start composting:

Choose a composting spot:

A corner of your garden with partial shade works great. Try not to place your compost bin on a solid base so that it has contact with the ground, allowing the little worms to get in and do their magic!

Layer greens and browns:

Combine “greens” like veggie peels and lawn clippings with “browns” like leaves and shredded cardboard for balance.

What to put into your compost pile/bin:

You can add any fruit or veg scraps or peel, egg shells, cardboard such as egg boxes (without labels), coffee grounds (great), tea bags, etc. It is also great to put pee in your compost, as it’s rich in nitrogen and can help speed up the decomposition process.

Aerate regularly: Turn the pile every week or two to keep it oxygenated and decomposing efficiently. You might get lots of little flies, especially on warm days, but this is a great sign, as the flies also help break down the matter.

It’s a simple yet transformative step towards a zero-waste lifestyle, and kids love being part of the composting process—turning scraps into soil is like magic!

 Growing Your Own Veggies

This year, if you’re setting your sights on growing vegetables, I would definitely start with easy-grow options like lettuce, carrots, courgette, or tomatoes. You can plant them in raised beds or containers, make sure they get plenty of sunlight and water, and use your compost to help nourish your veggies. To help keep the pests away naturally, you can plant companion flowers in your beds, like marigolds.

Welcoming Feathered Friends

This year, we are super excited to welcome three new pet chickens and a duck to our family. We are currently in the process of collecting recycled materials to build our coop. Not only will the chickens help you reduce food waste by munching on scraps, but they’ll also provide fresh eggs and enrich your garden soil with their manure. If you wanted to get some chickens of your own this year, you could build them a sturdy coop and give them plenty of space to roam. My stepson Nathan is seven, and he is so excited for this spring's chicken coop project to begin! It will be a great chance for him to learn about animal care and responsibility and build a relationship with them while bonding as a family.

The Joy of Sustainability

There’s something deeply fulfilling about making things yourself—from compost to homegrown veggies to caring for animals. It’s a journey that teaches patience, rewards effort, and makes you more mindful of the planet. Plus, getting the kids involved turns the garden into a classroom without walls, where they can learn about ecosystems, food cycles, and the joys of hard work.

I have really enjoyed the development of the garden. At times, it has been back-breaking work, but the rewards are well worth it to be able to sit and enjoy it all on a summer’s day—it’s just a delight! So, grab those gardening gloves, rally your little helpers, and let nature guide you this spring. Your garden will bloom not just with plants, but with purpose and pride.

Thank you for reading, Zoe xx