Spring in Harold's Little Garden — A Time for New Beginnings

As the cold grip of winter begins to loosen and the first signs of spring appear, Harold’s Little Garden starts to come alive again. The garden, which has been quiet for months, begins to stir with new growth, and there’s a quiet buzz of activity as the days get longer. There’s something special about this time of year, a promise of what’s to come, and a fresh start for all the plants that will soon flourish.

Seasonal Tips for Spring Gardening in the UK:

1. Start Planting Early Veggies
   Now’s the time to plant hardy vegetables like broad beans, peas, and spring onions. Harold always says, "The soil might still be a bit cold, but the plants will toughen up if you give them a chance." Start them indoors or in the greenhouse if you can.

2. Prune Fruit Trees
   Before the buds burst open, Harold takes the secateurs to his fruit trees. “A good prune is like a haircut for your plants,” he chuckles. Remove any dead wood and shape the branches to encourage strong, healthy growth.

3. Prepare Your Soil
   After the frost has passed, it’s time to work on your soil. Add a layer of compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil. “The earth’s a bit tired after winter,” Harold says. “Give it a good feed, and it’ll reward you come summer.”

4. Sow Flowers for Pollinators
   Spring is also the perfect time to sow flowers like primroses, pansies, and forget-me-nots, which will attract early pollinators. A healthy garden, after all, is one that invites nature in. Harold loves to plant a few wildflowers near the shed, knowing that they’ll welcome the bees and butterflies back home.

5. Start Your Seedlings
   Begin sowing tomatoes, peppers, and herbs indoors, so they’re ready for the warmer weather. "The joy of seeing the first green shoot break through the soil never gets old," Harold reflects. "It’s like watching a new life begin, and there’s something so satisfying about that."

A Little Memory from Harold’s Garden:

I remember, many years ago, when I first started in the garden with my father. Spring was always an exciting time for us both. He’d teach me how to turn the soil over, watching for worms and other signs of life. I’ll never forget the smell of fresh earth, damp from the winter rains. And then, as if by magic, those first seedlings would start to grow — something so simple, yet so profound.

Now, every spring, I think back to those early days in the garden. It’s a time for new beginnings, just like it was back then. And as the garden wakes up, so do I, ready to start again.