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With spring officially around the corner, now couldn't be a better time to start planting crops and flowers to ensure a colourful and blooming garden in the upcoming months. March is a great time to start thinking about what you would like to start planting in your garden, as temperatures are beginning to rise, and we'll have more hours of sunshine, and it will give enough time for plants to grow and flourish during the summer.

If you're stuck on what to plant now, there are plenty of recommended bulbs and crops that experts are advising gardeners to consider planting between now and the beginning of April for a fabulous summer display.

One of the varieties to consider is summer-flowering bulbs, such as lilies, gladioli, freesias and crocosmia. While Sarah Raven told Country Living that early April is a great time to get them in the soil, the bulbs are often advised to be planted from late February to early April, making now the sweet spot.

Make sure you plant your bulbs as soon as possible after purchase to avoid them drying out or deteriorating.

For those eager to plant Lily bulbs, the expert also suggested adding grit to heavy soil as it will "improve drainage and help them get established".

Other bulbs that are perfect for vibrant summer colour include Dahlias, Alliums, Begonias, and Bearded Irises. When planting them in your borders, make sure it is done in groups of four to six, and the wider the range, the more colourful your display will be.

You can expect the flowers to bloom from June to August.

As well as choosing what to plant, there are a number of gardening maintenance tasks to carry out to ensure your outdoor space is well prepared for your beautiful plants.

Between now and early April is an ideal time to divide any summer-flowering perennials to encourage healthier growth and brighter blooms.

Ensuring your lawn is in great condition is also vital. Tasks like raking out dead moss, removing weeds, and repairing patches will make all the difference to your outdoor space.