Soil, seasonal guide
Get your soil ready for spring.
What you can do between January and March so beds and borders are ready to plant, and why improved soil makes spring planting easier.
- MulchFebruary and March
- Dig inMarch and April
- Keep offFrozen or waterlogged soil
When each job fits
Timings follow the RHS for most of the UK. In a cold, wet spell, wait: there is no prize for being early.
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear and plan | January: yes | February: yes | March: no | April: no | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Weeds, old stems and debris out; work out what goes where. | ||||||||||||
| Mulch | January: no | February: yes | March: yes | April: no | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Spread organic matter on the surface, late winter to early spring. | ||||||||||||
| Dig in | January: no | February: no | March: yes | April: yes | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Work organic matter into the top layer, just before growth starts. | ||||||||||||
| Sandy soil | January: no | February: yes | March: yes | April: yes | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Light, sandy soil is best improved from late winter, not autumn. | ||||||||||||
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Clear and plan
January to FebruaryWeeds, old stems and debris out; work out what goes where.
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Mulch
February to MarchSpread organic matter on the surface, late winter to early spring.
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Dig in
March to AprilWork organic matter into the top layer, just before growth starts.
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Sandy soil
February to AprilLight, sandy soil is best improved from late winter, not autumn.
A bar shows the months when this usually applies.
A simple run from January to April
Pick a day when the soil is moist and crumbly, not sticky.
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January: clear and look
Pull weeds, clear dead stems and fallen leaves, and note where water sits after rain. Those are the patches that need most help.
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February: start mulching
On mild days, spread organic matter over the surface of beds and borders, at least 5 cm deep and ideally about 8 cm. Leave a gap around woody stems.
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March: dig in where you plant
In beds that will get new plants, work organic matter into the top layer as growth starts. Clay is easier to work once it is no longer sticky.
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April: plant
Plant into the improved ground. Once plants are growing, a plant feed covers the growing season, which is a different job from improving the soil.
Enough to make a difference
For digging in, the RHS gives a typical range of about 5 to 10 kg per square metre, roughly half to one 15-litre bucket. As a mulch, aim for at least 5 cm, about 50 litres per square metre, and ideally 8 cm.
Most garden soils are low in organic matter, so little and often, every year, works better than one big effort.
Frozen or waterlogged? Wait
Working wet or frozen soil squashes out the air and damages its structure. If soil sticks to your boots, leave it for another day.
Where Soil Improver fits
Soil Improver is made on our family farm in Cumbria from what the farm's renewable energy process leaves behind. It is a soil improver, not a plant feed: it prepares the ground, and it does its best work worked into the top layer of soil.
The 1L pouch suits pots, planting holes and small patches. The 17L tub is for beds and borders. For a large new border you will probably want a bulk supplier alongside it.
Soil Improver: For Beds, Borders and Pots
A peat-free soil improver for working into beds, borders and pots before you plant. It is not a plant food.
- How to useWork a trowelful through the top layer of soil around a plant or two. Potting up? Mix a couple of generous handfuls into the compost.
- Size1L pouch, also a 17L tub
- Also good to know100% natural, peat-free and made without synthetic chemicals.
Questions people ask
Can I improve my soil in winter?
Yes, on mild days when the soil is not frozen or waterlogged. Late winter to early spring is the RHS window for mulching, and spring for digging in.
Is it too late to dig in organic matter if I missed autumn?
No. Spring, in March and April, is the main time to dig organic matter in across most of the UK. Autumn suits heavier soils, but sandy soils are better done from late winter.
Should I dig or mulch?
Both work. Mulching leaves soil life to pull the organic matter down and means less digging. Digging in suits beds you are about to plant.
What is the difference between a soil improver and a plant feed?
A soil improver works on the soil, its structure and how well it holds water. A feed works on a growing plant. Our plant food vs fertiliser guide goes into more detail.
Is Soil Improver peat-free?
Yes, like the rest of the range.
