A Year of Gardening: A friendly-beginners monthly guide for growing a flower garden
Growing flowers can be an incredibly fulfilling and beautiful experience. When I first started gardening, I found it difficult to keep track of what to do each month and what flowers to sow and plant out. It's easy to become overwhelmed with all the information available, especially if you're a beginner or even an advanced gardener trying out new varieties. If you're unsure where to start or what to grow, don't worry! I've got you covered with a simple monthly guide to growing flowers that is easy to follow and fool-proof.
Table of Contents
January
This is the time to start thinking about your Summer blooms and what you’ll want to grow in your garden. It’s also a great time to start buying summer bulbs before they get sold out such as Gladiolus and Dahlias. This month, the garden is predominantly asleep but there is still work to do!
sowing and planting
Sweet peas can be sown now undercover, giving you early spring flowers for a longer season.
Iceland Poppies should be sown undercover for plants that will start to flower in May.
Other great flowers to sow indoors are Begonias, Scabiosa and Carnations.
If you haven’t had the time to plant your spring bulbs, now is a good time (and the latest time) to do them.
pruning and deadheading
Most of your garden this time of year will be dormant with old flowers dying off and new bulbs sprouting. Now Is a good time to tidy up and cut down old top-growth from your perennials and pull up any annuals you may not have gotten around to doing.
Deadhead winter bedding such as violas or pansies to prolong flowering.
Cut off the old leaves from your Hellebore to expose flowers.
Prune your shrubs, roses and fruit trees. Follow RHS’s guide for apple and pear pruning and David Austin’s guide to Rose pruning.
Spread a layer of compost around your shrubs.
Tackle weeds with a hoe before they get out of control.
general maintenance
Sweep up any leaves and debris from your garden paths. You can place some leaves around growing plants to help insulate them for future harsh cold weather.
Protect your plants and flowers from any future frost. Follow my guide on how to protect your plants from frost.
Water plants, bulbs and seedlings which are sheltered from the rain such as from being in a greenhouse.
Now is a great time to plan some redecorating. This time of year, I add paths and hard edges around the garden to keep control of the grass and make mowing easier. I also tidy up any borders.
Check for any damage that storms may have caused.
February
As we move towards spring, signs of growth and life will become more abundant. As the light levels and temperatures increase, you will notice bulbs starting to appear. This month, it's important to focus on tidying up your lawn and pruning your plants for healthy growth in the months to come.
sowing and planting
If you’re itching to start sowing, you can start to sow Larkspur, Lavender, Calendula and Marigold undercover.
Any Sweet Peas sown in Autumn can now be potted.
Start Dahlia tubers by placing them in a light, warm place to sprout before planting. Mist them occasionally with a spray to stop them from drying out.
Shrubs, climbers and bare-rooted roses can now be planted.
pruning and deadheading
If you left your perennials over the winter, now is the right time to cut them so that they’re fresh and grow beautifully.
If you didn’t get a chance to prune your roses, now would be the last month to prune them!
Prune back the stems of pot-grown fuchsias and place them in a well-lit and warm place to encourage new growth.
Prune back your winter-flowering shrubs but be careful not to prune your spring-flowering shrubs otherwise, you won’t get any flowers!
Prune your evergreen shrubs to tidy them up to grow in a nice shape.
general maintenance
Start fertilising your borders with blood, fish and bone for healthy growth.
Mow the lawn once the temperatures have increased and frost is unlikely (above 5 degrees Celsius).
This time of year, my grass tends to be quite patchy from the harsh weather conditions. This month is a great time to repair bare patches using turf cut from other garden areas. Avoid walking on these areas for several weeks to allow roots to establish.
Focus on cutting down lawn edges using a flat-bladed spade to neaten up the appearance of the garden and prevent grass from spreading over.
Keep your beds and lawn weed-free and rake the areas over.
March
With the arrival of spring, there is a lot of work to do in the garden. The frost risk should have passed, but the weather will still be chilly. This month, the focus will be on fertilising, pruning, and lawn and soil care. If you have the space and want to start early, some seeds can also be sown undercover.
sowing and planting
You can start sowing most hardy annual seeds under cover, in a greenhouse windowsill or conservatory. This will include for example: Cosmos Bipinnatus, Zinnia Elegans, Larkspur, and Snapdragon. This will ensure a longer flowering season.
Start to sow undercover Dahlia, Salvia Viridis and Cut-leaved Daisies.
Pinch out the tips of winter-sown sweet peas to encourage side shoots.
Transplant your annual seedlings into individual pots such as ‘Scabious’.
Start to harden off seedlings that have been started indoors on warm still days. Place them outside during the day to get used to cooler conditions and then take them back to your greenhouse in the late afternoon. Do this for about a week at the end of March before planting them out in April.
pruning and deadheading
Continue to remove weeds whenever you can and cut down all old growth.
Remove all dead and crossing wood on your rose bushes.
Prune young hedges back by a third. Although you may be desperate for growth, it will make them grow stronger and thicker rather than tall with lots of gaps.
Continue deadheading hydrangeas before new growth appears (cut off old growth).
general maintenance
Start mulching bare soil in preparation for summer bulb planting and before weeds take over.
If your lawn looks sad post-winter, I recommend spending a day mowing all your lawn, raking the entire area, removing all moss and weeds, applying a lawn fertiliser, sowing grass seeds and finally watering the lawn.
If all the above steps aren’t needed, I still recommend applying a spring lawn feed for grass that needs a boost (mine always does this time of year!). This will promote strong growth and help it to recover after the winter.
Feed trees, shrubs and hedges with a balanced fertiliser such as Blood, Fish and Bone. Sprinkle it over the root area before hoeing into the soil surfaces.
Feed roses with a granular rose fertiliser.
Keep an eye on your greenhouse as seedlings begin to grow quicker and provide them with space as they put on new growth. Seedlings will start to need daily attention and inspection in case of pests and diseases.
April
April is a busy month for gardening enthusiasts as spring flowers are in full bloom and summer bulbs need to be sown and planted. If you feel overwhelmed, don't panic. Remember to take things one step at a time and enjoy the warm weather, the beautiful blooms in your garden, and the sweet sounds of birds chirping. It's important not to rush yourself and to take your time. There's always tomorrow to finish up any remaining tasks. So, take in every moment and pace yourself accordingly.
sowing and planting
Towards the end of April, the risk of frost will have passed and the soil will be warm this time of the month (depending on where you live). You should start to sow directly into the soil in a sunny spot your summer flowering bulbs such as Zinnia Elegans, Lily, Great Masterwort, Garden Phlox, Sunflower, Ranunculus, Gazanias, Baby’s breath and Anemone for Summer flowering.
Directly plant your Gladiolus bulbs for summer flowering in a sunny area.
Plant your Dahlia bulbs now if you’d like them to grow in containers.
Directly plant out the Foxglove, Sweet Peas and Wallflowers you’ve been growing in your greenhouse.
If you didn’t harden off your seedlings, remember to harden them off for about a week before planting them out.
pruning and deadheading
Keep on top of your weeding with a hoe on dry days to prevent them from growing back rapidly.
Make sure that your climbing Roses are well-tied so that they grow healthily. Bend over any upright stems to encourage more flowers and tie them in so they are lying horizontally.
Cut back your Lavender plants to encourage them to grow full and busy. Only snip old flower stems and leggy stems, don’t prune into old wood as this will prevent new growth. Following this, provide them with a liquid feed to encourage growth.
Last chance to cut back your shrubs! This will give them time to heal from the pruning and form into a beautiful shape for the summer. If your shrubs are flowering, don’t prune them and wait until after the flowering period is over.
general maintenance
Your Tulips and Daffodils will be blooming, continue to feed them.
Continue to do weekly feeds to your trees, shrubs and hedges with blood, fish and bone.
Watch out for pests and diseases! Aphids may start to multiply rapidly so it’s important to remove early infestations by hand to prevent them from getting out of control.
May
During May, the days are longer and warmer, and summer can be felt. You will witness your tulips and other spring flowers in full bloom, looking at their best. So, make sure to enjoy them while they last. This month may feel like your busiest, so remember to take your time and pace yourself accordingly.
sowing and planting
Depending on the weather in your region, May may be a more suitable time to plant your Summer bulbs. I recommend keeping an eye on the weather and if April is still chilly, postpone your seed sowing and bulb planting to May (have a look at the April Section of this blog post).
Be ready to Sow your Cosmos seed directly into the soil. May is the best time do to this as the risk of frost has completely passed. The soil will be warm, encouraging healthy growth, and you will get beautiful flowers until the frost begins in October.
Directly plant your Dahlia tubers in the ground now (Mid to Late May) in a sunny position.
If you didn’t get a chance to plant your Gladiolus bulbs in April, you should do this now.
Plant out your Chrysanthemums for late summer-autumn flowers.
pruning and deadheading
Start to remove any faded tulip flowers by nipping off the heads and seed pods.
Cut back allium foliage as it may start to look messy this month.
Trim your hedges for a tidier look using hand shears.
general maintenance
Harvest your spring cut flowers to make beautiful bouquets and centrepieces such as tulips, alliums or narcissi.
Divide Hostas as they come into growth. Dig up the entire clump and carefully divide the clump with a sharp knife into multiple sections and replant immediately.
Apply a liquid fertiliser to all spring bulbs after they’ve flowered to encourage healthy flowering in the following year.
Give your hedges and trees a boost with a slow-release organic fertiliser.
Harden off any seedlings you’ve been growing undercover by placing them outside from morning till late afternoon. Do this for one to two weeks before planting them outside.
Tie your sweet peas upwards to encourage them to climb.
Continue to pull up any weeds using a hoe to prevent them from getting out of control.
June
June is a magical time for gardening as it's when everything starts to come alive. Flowers begin to bloom in abundance and the weather is perfect. Summer officially arrives on June 21st, which is the longest day of the year. The extra sunlight and warmth will help your garden flourish, but it also means you may have to deal with more weeds than usual.
sowing and planting
If you want your Ranunculus to flower in early autumn, plant your Ranunculus corms now.
Next spring’s biennials, such as Wallflowers, can be sown now directly into a seedbed.
If your borders are looking empty, plant in some Begonias or Salvia to fill them up and give a beautiful display.
Poppies can be sown directly into the soil now and will flower within eight weeks. I prefer to sow them directly into the soil this time of the month as they are more likely to survive and grow healthy than if sown undercover in a tray.
Plant autumn flowering bulbs such as Cyclamen.
pruning and deadheading
Deadhead your Lupins for a second flowering.
Take cuttings of Lavender to encourage growth and make beautiful centrepieces.
general maintenance
Pinch out leading shoots on Chrysanthemums and Sunflowers to encourage bushy plants.
Water your plants more regularly as the weather warms up.
Weeds will start to grow excessively so it’s important to dedicate some time to removing them regularly.
Lift and store your spring bulbs for next year.
State and tie your Dahlias as they grow.
Tie your Sweet peas as they continue to grow and pick the flowers to keep them going as long as possible.
It’s a good idea to get a container that collects rainwater. Your garden will start to need daily watering and this is a great eco-friendly way to do that!
July
July is one of the hottest months in England, with heatwaves affecting the country. It's an excellent opportunity to relish the weather and spend some time outdoors, especially in the garden. The hotter weather means you'll have to devote more time to watering your plants, getting rid of weeds, and removing wilted flowers.
sowing and planting
For autumn flowering, plant out Cosmos Zinnias and Gladioli.
Continue sowing Foxgloves and Wallflowers directly into moist warm soil.
pruning and deadheading
Deadhead faded Roses to encourage new healthy growth and improve their appearance. It will also help to prevent any fungal infections that can occur which could ultimately lead to the stems dying.
Gazanias: deadhead any spent flowers whenever you have the chance to help the plant devote its energy to keeping new blooms alive.
Continue to prune your Lavender for drying.
Deadhead Dahlias to promote healthy growth.
general maintenance
Give the lawn a quick-acting summer feed.
If there is no rain, hydrate your lawn by watering it regularly.
Water your plants twice a day on hot dry days. I recommend doing this in the early morning and once the sun sets. Avoid doing this in full sun as it can be damaging to your plants and most of the water will be lost through evaporation.
Mulch around your flowers when the soil is wet and remove foliage to improve circulation and prevent mildew.
Hoe and Hand-weed borders often so they don’t have time to set seed.
Your Dahlias will be in full bloom! Give Dahlias a liquid feed and tie the shoots of tall varieties to stakes as they grow.
Support your Gladioli with stakes if they start to fall over.
Feed your roses now after the first flush of flowers to encourage more to grow.
Remember to keep your greenhouse ventilated by opening the doors throughout the day.
August
August is always the hottest month of the year, which means watering your plants will be crucial. With fewer tasks to do, you can start to relax and enjoy the holiday feeling. It's also a good time to think about what spring bulbs you would like to plant in Autumn. If you are planning to go away, it's a good idea to ask your friends or family to help keep an eye on your garden.
sowing and planting
Collect seed pods for plants that you’re planning to reseed.
pruning and deadheading
Trim back your Lavender once it’s finished flowering to stop it growing leggy.
Prune rambling Roses after flowering.
Prune Wisteria after flowering by removing all whippy side shoots.
Continue deadheading your Dahlias.
The majority of flowers in your garden this month will need some deadheading such as your Rhododendrons, Camellias and Cosmos.
general maintenance
Your lawn may look brown due to the hot weather, which is common and nothing to worry about as your grass will eventually green up again. You can water your grass to help prevent this but try to avoid wasting too much water.
September
As we approach autumn, September is significantly cooler than August. There won't be too many tasks to do this month, so it's a great time to take advantage of the warm weather and complete some of your tasks before it gets too cold!
sowing and planting
This is the last time to get your spring-flowering biennials planted out, such as Wallflowers and Foxglove, in order for them to get their roots down.
You can start to sow Sweet Peas in a cold frame for early summer blooms next year.
Plant pots of Anemones and Crocus – keep them watered during dry spells and lift them off the ground to prevent water-logging.
pruning and deadheading
Continue weeding the garden.
Deadhead Dahlias but cutting all spent flowers off to the bud below them. They should continue to flower before the first frost!
Pinch out the tips of wallflowers to promote bushier growth.
Prune climbing Roses once they’ve finished flowering and remove any fallen leaves from the base of the roses to prevent the spread of disease.
general maintenance
Towards the end of the month, take inside any tender perennials such as Fuschias and Gazanias as the frost will damage and kill them off.
Start to buy your spring-flowering bulbs before the ones you want are out of stock!
Keep your borders free of fallen leaves to prevent disease.
Make a plan on what design you want in your garden for spring and what combinations would look good so that you know exactly where to plant your bulbs.
October
Autumn has officially arrived! The days are getting shorter, the mornings are cooler, and cobwebs are starting to show up. It's a beautiful time of year because we get to see the leaves changing colour! Depending on your location, you may start experiencing frost overnight, so this month we'll be focusing on getting ready for the frosts ahead.
sowing and planting
Sow your Sweet peas now for earlier flowering next spring.
The ground will still be warm so you can start to plant Narcissi bulbs in borders or pots if you prefer.
Plant Allium bulbs and Peonies whilst the soil is still warm (early mid-autumn).
Plant Snowdrop bulbs in shady parts of your garden.
Plant Amaryllis in small to medium-sized pots for beautiful flowers in Winter. Set the bulbs on top of the compost and water well. They will take 6 to 8 weeks to flower so if you’d like them for Christmas, plant them at a later date.
pruning and deadheading
Mid-October or once the foliage has been blackened, cut down your dahlias and start to lift your dahlia tubers from the ground to ensure that the frost doesn’t damage them. Store the tubers in a cool, dark and moist-free room.
Cut down your Gladiolus and remove the bulbs from the ground. Leave them somewhere shaded warm room to dry.
Keep weeding, ensuring that you don’t leave any of the roots to overwinter.
Cut back any dead, diseased or damaged rose branches and cut any side shoots off. Remove all fallen leaves from under your roses to prevent disease.
general maintenance
Finish collecting seeds from your flowers you wish to re-sow next year.
Continue to clear leaves from lawns to avoid dark patches. You can collect the leaves in mould bags or pile them onto your compost to create mulch for your borders.
Mow your lawn for the last time and trim your hedges.
Apply an autumn feed to your lawn to protect and nourish your lawn over the next couple of months.
November
As winter approaches, you will notice an increase in wind, frost, and rain. Your garden will likely be covered in leaves, and you will have fewer gardening tasks to perform as it starts to go dormant. This month, it is crucial to focus on protecting tender plants from frost and planting tulips.
sowing and planting
Plant spring-flowering bulbs in lawns to add colour and attract a variety of pollinators. Popular choices include Snowdrops, Allium, Crocuses and Daffodils. Remember to leave the areas unmown for several months in spring once the foliage starts to appear until it dies back.
Plant your Tulip bulbs now when the soil is cool. If you live in a warmer climate, don’t plant them until December.
Plant your Ranunculus corms and Anemone bulbs undercover.
pruning and deadheading
Plant Amaryllis in small to medium-sized pots for beautiful flowers for Christmas. Set the bulbs on top of the compost and water well.
Prune your Roses – cut off any large woody stems.
Check any newly planted shrubs and trees to make sure they haven’t lifted from the soil due to frost.
Protect tender perennials with a mulch of compost.
general maintenance
Raise containers onto pot feet to prevent waterlogging.
Continue to clear up fallen leaves to prevent dark brown spots across your lawn and tiles.
Apply an autumn feed if you didn’t in October. This will improve the lawn’s resilience and appearance next year.
Avoid walking on a frosty lawn! This can damage grass leaving it brittle with brown footprints that take a while to disappear.
Protect your plants and flowers from frost. Follow my guide on how to protect your plants from frost.
December
In December, there is little to plant in your garden as it is fully dormant. This leaves you with ample time to enjoy the festive season with friends and family. Use this month to focus on garden planning and keeping your greenhouse warm.
sowing and planting
If you live in a warmer climate, now is the time to plant your tulip bulbs. However, if you forgot to plant them, don't worry! You still have time to do so. I usually wait until the Christmas holidays when I have more free time to plant mine.
Check your bulbs and tubers that are being stored over winter – if there are any signs of mould or rot, remove the affected one to prevent it from spreading.
Alpines can be sown from seed as they need a period of cold to grow.
general maintenance
Raise potted plants off the ground to prevent water-logging.
Aerate your lawn using a lawn aerator or by inserting a garden fork at regular intervals to let air in.
Avoid walking on your lawn covered with frost as it will leave brown patches.
Collect leaves from your borders, paths and lawn. You can keep these in leaf mould bags to use later on.
Continue protecting your plants and flowers from frost.