Spring DIY Landscaping: Get Your Garden Ready for the Season

As the weather warms up, now is the perfect time to start your DIY landscaping projects. Whether you’re laying a new patio, installing a path, or refreshing your garden’s structure, Hampshire Garden Supplies has all the materials you need to get started. Spring is ideal for tackling groundwork before summer planting and outdoor living begin. Here’s how to prepare your garden for major landscaping projects this season.

1. Prepare for New Paving or Patios

A well-laid patio or path transforms your outdoor space and creates a solid foundation for garden furniture and entertaining areas. Before starting, mark out your area and order essential materials like:

• Crushed concrete hardcore – Provides a stable base.
• Paving slabs – Choose from porcelain, sandstone, or concrete for a durable finish.
• Jointing compound – Ensures a neat, long-lasting result.

Spring showers can make the ground soft, so ensure good drainage with sub-base materials and allow time for everything to settle before laying your paving.

2. Level and Improve Soil

Whether you’re preparing a new flower bed or getting ready to turf an area, soil quality matters. Use:

• Topsoil – Ideal for levelling uneven ground and filling raised beds.
• Sharp sand or grit – Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.
• Mulch or compost – Helps enrich soil for future planting.

If your garden is prone to water logging, consider incorporating a permeable membrane beneath gravel or turf to improve drainage.

3. Lay Turf or Sow a New Lawn

A lush lawn starts with the right foundation. Spring is an ideal time to lay quality turf or grass seed before summer heat arrives. Ensure a smooth and healthy lawn with:

• Turf base and topsoil – Creates an even, fertile foundation.
• Pre-turfing fertiliser – Encourages strong root growth.
• Lawn seed – Perfect for patch repairs or full lawn seeding.
• New turf – For those that want a ready made lawn.

Once laid, keep your new lawn well-watered, especially during dry spells, to help it establish properly.

4. Upgrade Garden Pathways

Spring is the best time to redefine garden paths and walkways. Choose decorative aggregates, gravel, or slate chippings for a low-maintenance, stylish option. To ensure long-lasting results:

• Lay a weed membrane before adding gravel to prevent weed growth.
• Use hardcore or sub-base aggregates for added stability.
• Install timber or stone edging for a neat, professional finish.

Pathways help guide foot traffic and create clear, structured zones in your garden design.

5. Install Edging for Defined Borders

Give your garden a polished look by installing edging materials. Options include:

• Timber sleepers – Rustic and sturdy for raised borders.
• Brick or stone edging – Creates a formal, long-lasting structure.
• Metal or plastic edging strips – Flexible and easy to install for curves and intricate designs.

Proper edging not only enhances aesthetics but also keeps lawns and planting areas tidy.

6. Refresh Driveways and Parking Areas

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your driveway or parking space. If your gravel driveway looks tired, consider topping it up with fresh shingle or decorative aggregates. For a new installation, prepare with:

• Hardcore sub-base – Essential for strength and stability.
• Permeable aggregates – Helps with drainage and prevents puddles.
• Edging stones or timber – Keeps gravel in place and adds structure.

A well-maintained driveway improves curb appeal and prevents weeds from taking over.

7. Solve Drainage Issues

April showers can highlight problem areas in your garden. Prevent water pooling by installing:

• Soakaway crates – Ideal for collecting and dispersing excess rainwater.
• Land drains – Pipes that help redirect water away from flood-prone zones.
• Permeable paving – Allows water to drain naturally through the surface.

Good drainage ensures your landscaping efforts last longer and prevents water damage to structures.

8. Build Raised Beds for Planting

Raised beds offer better soil control, improved drainage, and a structured look for your garden. Build yours using:

• Wooden sleepers – Durable and easy to assemble.
• Brick or stone blocks – For a more permanent, high-end finish.
• Topsoil and compost – To create nutrient-rich planting areas.

Raised beds are great for growing vegetables, flowers, or even creating a statement feature in your garden.

9. Tidy Up Outdoor Structures

Before summer arrives, check the condition of your garden features:

• Repoint brickwork to strengthen walls and pathways.
• Treat wooden fences and decking with preservatives to protect against weather damage.
• Replace broken paving slabs or edging for a polished, professional look.

A little maintenance now can prevent costly repairs later in the season.

10. Stock Up on Essential Materials

April is a busy time for garden improvements, so make sure you have everything ready before starting your projects. Hampshire Garden Supplies stocks a wide range of materials for DIY landscapers, including:

• Paving slabs, aggregates, and gravel for driveways, patios, and paths.
• Topsoil, compost, and turf for lawn and garden preparation.
• Sleepers, bricks, and edging materials for defined garden spaces.
• Drainage solutions to keep your outdoor areas in top condition.

Get Your Landscaping Projects Underway!

Spring is the ideal season to kick start your landscaping plans, and Hampshire Garden Supplies is here to help. Whether you’re laying a new patio, installing a pathway, or preparing your garden for summer, we have all the landscaping materials you need to get the job done right.