Spring into action – Henchman's gardening checklist for a blooming good season

Spring is every gardener’s favourite time of the year – a season of renewal, growth and fresh beginnings. As the days grow longer and temperatures rise, all gardens need a little help to shake off the remnants of winter. Whether it’s trimming shrubs, spring cleaning the greenhouse, or giving roses the royal treatment, a few key tasks will set your garden up for a fantastic growing season.  

Leading garden ladder expert Henchman shares its spring gardening checklist to ensure a blooming season ahead. 

Give trees and shrubs a little TLC 

Spring is an excellent time to trim back trees and shrubs. Not only does it give your garden a tidy appearance, but it also ensures plants grow strong and healthy throughout the season. Start by using a pruning saw to cut away smaller branches, working your way up to larger ones. Remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches to help prevent disease and promote new growth. Preserve the tree’s natural shape and structure as much as possible, thinning the crown to allow sunlight and air circulation. Make sure to remove crowded or weak branches to improve the plants overall health.   

As most pruning work is done at height, it’s important to use a specialist ladder to keep you safe. Henchman’s Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder will keep users stable, even on rough or uneven terrain. With plenty of support and space to move comfortably, you can easily tackle high branches without worrying about your safety. It’s also worth having a pair of durable gloves with good grip and a ground sheet to make cleaning up a little easier. With Henchman ladders, no branch is out of reach, allowing gardeners to easily keep trees well-maintained and healthy.   

Prune and rejuvenate roses 

Pruning is essential for keeping roses healthy and encouraging strong growth. Spring is typically the best time to prune, just before new growth begins. Start by deadheading your roses, removing spent flowerheads and surrounding leaves. You can place the debris directly into a bucket, bin, or a heavy duty ground sheet for easy clean up. The ARS Professional Bypass Secateurs are perfect for this task, with ultra-sharp blades and an ergonomic handle for precise, comfortable cuts. While you prune, keep an eye out for common rose diseases like black spot and pests such as rose aphids. If you see any, remove any infected leaves or stems to stop the problem from spreading. 

Next, focus on removing dead or damaged stems, cutting them back to healthy wood. Make sure the cuts are angled downwards to prevent water from pooling on the buds. For thicker branches, a pruning saw with a high-quality, tooth-edged blade will make quick work of larger stems. 

To shape the rose bush, the Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder comes in handy, providing easy access to higher or awkward areas. Its stable platform and adjustable legs make it safe and comfortable to work at various heights and on any uneven terrain, ensuring you can reach every part of your rose bush with ease. 

Spring clean the greenhouse 

If you have a greenhouse, spring is the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and give it a good scrub! Start by clearing everything out – remove any old plant pots, dead plants, or other debris that might have accumulated. Sweep the floors and disinfect any surfaces to prevent the spread of disease. If you have glass panes, clean them thoroughly to let in as much light as possible for the new growing season. You might also want to check the structure for any damage and make necessary repairs. 

For this, a sturdy ladder like the Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder is ideal. With options ranging from 5ft to 12ft, its three independently adjustable legs, generous platform space and guard rail keeps you steady and safe while tackling everything from hip-height cleaning to hard-to-reach panes on taller greenhouses. 

Freshen up your home exterior and garden structures 

Your garden isn’t just about your plants – don't forget your fences, shed and house exterior. The harsh winter weather can cause the paint on fences and sheds to chip and peel. Touching up the paint in spring will not only improve the look of your garden but will also help protect your fence from further damage throughout the year. 

Gutters can quickly become clogged with debris particularly with bad weather and high winds during winter. Many gutters will be filled with leaves, twigs and unwanted materials. If left unchecked, blockages can restrict water flow and even cause leakages or damp to your interiors. Cleaning your gutters is easy – simply scoop out any debris that has gathered inside and discard it in your compost bin. Then, rinse through with water to wash away any remaining gunk! 

No matter how you choose to prepare your garden for spring, Henchman offers a range of high quality, versatile tools and ladders to help you work efficiently and safely. For more information visit https://www.henchman.co.uk/ 

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Editors notes

Henchman has been a pioneer of specialist garden ladders and safe hedge-cutting platforms since 1994, when it launched its first model at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Founded by father and son duo Mike and Tom Kitching, over the past three decades the company has evolved from a small family business to the leading garden ladder brand in the UK.

Based in Wiltshire, the dedicated design team at Henchman offers a wide range of unique products created to keep customers safe on uneven terrain while working at height.

Its collection includes the cutting-edge Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder, Fully Adjustable PRO Tripod Ladder, the Hi-Step Platform, the Wheeled Henchman, as well as a range of large capacity wheelbarrows and accessories, all designed to make gardening a safe, sturdy and enjoyable experience.

Henchman has pioneered the way in ladder safety and is the first and only fully EN131 certified Tripod Ladder on the market in the UK and the rest of the world.

From the National Trust, to the England Rugby team and Royal Households, and not forgetting thousands of gardeners, DIY-enthusiasts and professionals, Henchman helps its customers get the job done, safely.