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As the weather across Britain finally brightens up and the first signs of Spring begin to show, many of us are wondering what gardening tasks we can undertake now to ensure lush and blooming green spaces come summer.

Luckily, we have just the answer to that question. Jack Stooks, King Charles's former royal gardener, has shared some of his most essential gardening tips for this time of year.

He explains that there's no shortage of tasks you can be getting on with in the run-up to summer to ensure your garden thrives and is set up for surefire success.

Ex-royal gardener Jack has also disclosed the unusual kitchen item you can utilise in your garden whilst it's still somewhat chilly to encourage growth.

From the plants that require planting immediately, to essential advice for maintaining your lawn's health and the surprising kitchen ingredient that can prove remarkably beneficial for outdoor spaces, Jack, speaking on behalf of coffee bean retailer Coffee Friend, has outlined how green thumbers can guarantee a flourishing paradise by the time the sunshine returns in full force.

Unusual kitchen ingredient perfect for mulch and compost

Jack has a unique trick up his sleeve. King Charles's former royal gardener of 21 years shares: "Don't bin your coffee grounds. Put them to good use in your garden [especially] during the colder months.

"One of the easiest ways is to add them to your compost. Composting turns organic waste into nutrient-rich soil that boosts the structure and fertility. Coffee adds nitrogen, which is a key nutrient for healthy plant growth, and it also helps speed up the decomposition process."

That isn't the only use for this common kitchen ingredient that you would otherwise throw out. The gardening expert says: "You can also use coffee grounds as a mulch, which is a layer of material placed on top of the soil to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Simply sprinkle the coffee grounds around the base of your plants, or mix them into an existing mulch layer."

Get those spring bulbs planted now

If you haven't planted your bulbs yet, now is the time, according to King Charles's former gardener who tended the Highgrove House Gardens for over two decades.

"Late daffodils and other spring bulbs need to go in the ground soon to ensure they bloom beautifully for the spring," advises Jack.

He adds: "Another top pick for a winter garden is bare-root roses. They make a beautiful gift, too, as they just keep on giving. They produce summer flowers year after year, so it's a beautiful and long-lasting present for someone special or your own garden to enjoy."

While the ideal time to plant bare-root roses would be their dormant winter season, it is still not too late to get them in the ground in time for vibrant summer flowering.

Things can still bloom post winter - don't give up hope

Highgrove House's former senior gardener shares: "You could always trim back anything that you think is clearly dead, but take care, as plants can sometimes regrow from parts that look lifeless."

"If by late spring there is still no sign of life, it's safe to assume the plant hasn't survived the winter. At that point, remove it and replace it with the same plant or something hardier. Wait a little before cutting so you don't accidentally discard a plant that could still bounce back," cautions Jack.

Leave your lawns until the spring

As per Jack, leaving your lawns alone till spring is in full force is ideal.

Jack explains: "When it comes to lawns, winter is not the ideal time to carry out any gardening or maintenance. The cold temperatures, frost, and wet conditions can make the grass more vulnerable to damage. Walking on or cutting the lawn during this period can compact the soil, harm the roots, and leave the grass more susceptible to disease."

"Leave it until the spring to mow. The sun will hopefully be shining again and the plants will be coming back to life," advises Jack.

So, perhaps it's time to get ready, because those sunny lawn-mowing and maintenance days are just around the corner.

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