Five 5-min gardening jobs for late spring

Short of time? I’ve got five five-minute gardening jobs for late spring.

1. Deadhead spring-flowering bulbs.

   Once daffodils and tulips have faded, the bulbs need to store energy for next year. Pinch off spent flowerheads or cut them off with snips so the bulbs put energy into growing again rather than making seeds. Leave the leaves and stems to die back naturally. This can take about six weeks.

   The foliage acts like a solar panel, making food for the bulb. Only remove it when it has turned yellow.

2. Leave water out for wildlife.

   Birds, bees, dragonflies and hedgehogs all need access to water. If you don’t have a pond, put out a shallow dish of water. Add a few stones as landing platforms so insects can rest and cool off.

   Editor’s note. If birds use the dish, replace the water daily. The RSPB’s current guidance generally recommends fresh tap water and explains what to do if it’s treated with chloramine.

3. Support perennials.

   Before perennial plants get too large, pop in a hoop, stake or obelisk to prevent them flopping. Once they’re covered in blooms the stems get heavy, so give them a helping hand. This is useful for peonies, dahlias, roses and climbers like clematis and sweet peas.

4. Edge paths and borders.

   I like to let grass grow long in parts of my garden, but a crisp edge along paths and borders complements the more relaxed planting. Use long-handled edging shears around lawn edges and paving slabs. If the edges have gone wonky, reinstate them with a half-moon tool. Pop the nitrogen-rich clippings on the compost heap or leave them where they fall.

5. Prune early-flowering shrubs.

   Once shrubs like forsythia and flowering currant have finished blooming, it’s time to prune. Forsythia flowers on year-old wood, so pruning now gives it time to recover and form buds for next year. Use shears or secateurs to cut back growth and thin congested stems. If the shrub needs rejuvenating, you can cut a forsythia back hard, although you’ll have to wait longer for it to flower.

   For flowering currant, cut stems back to a healthy pair of buds or rejuvenate the shrub by removing a third of the oldest wood at ground level.

And that’s my five five-minute gardening jobs for late spring.