We know that spring is arriving when the weather begins to warm and shoots of greenery begin to emerge from the ground. Almost instinctively, we reach for the gardening tools. But where shall we start? What needs nurturing first? These top spring gardening tips from the garden maintenance experts will help get you started in the right direction.

Spring Planting Tips

Get a head start on the growing season by starting your spring gardening with seeds. Prepare your flower beds and vegetable garden soil and plant your seeds in early spring to give them an opportunity to grow to maturity as early as possible. They are going to need plenty of energy for growth, so be sure to fertilise, too. If you have had a vegetable garden in the past, avoid planting vegies in the same spots you planted them the year before. By rotating your crops, you can help prevent or minimise pests and diseases.

Start your indoor or outdoor herb garden in early spring, too. When the summer BBQ season arrives, you'll be glad you did.

After you've planted your seeds and they begin to sprout, they will be vulnerable to attack from snails, aphids, caterpillars and other pests that will be coming out from the woodwork looking for food. Keep an eye on them and hand remove them when you can. Snails can be dissuaded from claiming your garden as theirs by sprinkling rings of used coffee grounds around the shoots. If things get out of control with an onrush of spring pests, you can use a pesticide. Your local garden supplier or nursery can help you choose a low-toxicity pesticide designed to control the pests that are in season.

Spring Garden Maintenance Tips

After you've gotten your flower and vegie seeds off to a good start, it's time to turn your attention to the rest of your garden:

• Spring is the season when everything starts growing - including weeds. To help discourage weed growth in your garden beds, mulch around your existing beds after removing all emerging weeds.

• Hibiscus and other late winter, early spring flowering plants should be pruned now to keep them healthy and strong and encourage fuller growth.

• Inspect your potted plants. They will have laid down roots over winter and if they are rootbound, replant them into larger pots. If roots are emerging from drainage holes, trim them back.

• Early spring is the right time to divide and repot your cymbidium orchids - but only after they have flowered. Make sure to use a specially prepared orchid mix in your pots. While you're at it, buy orchid fertiliser and follow the directions for best results.

Lend Your Lawn a Hand

Spring is the time when your lawn needs you the most. If you spend a little time on your lawn now, you will be rewarded throughout the summer with a lush, green, full lawn. These are the three most important spring lawn maintenance jobs you need to attend to:

1. After winter rains, the lawn soil can become compacted. You may need to aerate the soil to allow the lawn to "breathe" and encourage thick, strong growth.
2. When your lawn starts growing in spring, so will lawn weeds. Tackle them early and minimise weed damage throughout the spring and summer.
3. Periodic fertilising is imperative from early spring and throughout the growing season.
4. Regular watering is important in spring. Growing lawns are thirsty lawns.

A little extra effort now will pay big dividends later on, so roll up your sleeves and enjoy the beautiful spring weather while you get your garden off to a good start before summer arrives. You'll be glad you did when you start harvesting your vegetables, seeing your flowers bloom and enjoying your lusciously green lawn. Need a little extra inspiration? Well why not check out our Garden Design Ideas section.