Spring’s here, time to get outdoors. Simon Bax, from Bents, Glazebury, says why.

DAFFODILS , crocuses and blossom…lots of things come to mind to signify the start of this fantastic season, but the milder weather is a favourite.

It might not always be the case but on the whole spring means warmer temperatures, which mean being able to get outdoors again.

Spending just a little time outside each day, whether just enjoying green space or tending to plants, can help improve our mood.

Gardening can also help physical well-being by providing a great form of all-round exercise, utilizing all major muscle groups.

Digging, raking and cleaning are all jobs that need to be done, but at the same time they are helping the heart.

Gardening is a great hobby, not only does it brighten up your environment and provide visual pleasure but it is good for your health!

And at Bents we believe everyone can benefit whether you have a tiny courtyard or a playing field sized garden.

There are so many ways to enjoy the beauty of plants and flowers from full blown beds to individual pots and containers, which can be crammed into the smallest of spaces.

As the weather warms up it’s also worth thinking about what preparation needs to be done in the garden.

The shed (or maybe it’s your garage) is always a good place to start. Have a look at what you’ve got and throw out any out of date fertilizers or feeds.

Review what you’re left with and stock up on anything that you think might be useful for the coming season.

Next have a look at your tools.

Making sure tools are clean will help keep your garden healthy as you work with them during the coming seasons. Also check for rust and oil any tools with moving parts, it will help make life easier when it’s time to use them.

Mend broken fence panels and clear any fallen branches and debris, but if the soil is still wet try to avoid walking on it and compacting it too much, it’s worth waiting until it’s a bit drier.

If you’ve not yet ventured out into the garden this year what better time to do so than during National Gardening Week (which runs until Sunday); which is a celebration of all things green and beautiful.

This year’s theme for the event, launched by the Royal Horticultural Society, is ‘start something beautiful’ and at Bents we couldn’t agree more.

Spring is definitely the time to start something beautiful; whether it’s starting to spring clean your outdoor space or starting to make plans for a new flowerbed or container.

Or maybe simply start your love of gardening…it’s never too late to discover what a wonderful hobby it can be.

DO IT NOW - Tasks to complete this week:

* Plant up containers, baskets and new bedding plants ready for a stunning seasonal display

Remove any dead flowers from plants to promote further blooms

* Spray roses with a systemic fungicide to ensure a clean start to the season.

Plant spring vegetables such as peas, beans and potatoes ready for next season

* Tidy up your lawn and finish with a moss or weed control product

Plant new perennials in spots where they will provide colour

* Cut back hardy fuchsias to just above soil level as strong new basal growth appears

Start to sow hardy annuals directly into their flowering position.
Plant tomatoes to grow in a cool greenhouse. Train them up tall canes or strings

* Sow melons under glass.
Prune winter-flowering heathers as the flowers fade

Apply slow-release fertiliser to containers and then mulch

* Trim grey-leaved shrubs to keep them bushy.