Spring Gardening Guide for Ireland

What to Sow in Spring

Spring is the heart of the sowing season in Ireland, running from March through May. Start hardy crops outdoors from mid-March: carrots, parsnips, beetroot, peas, broad beans, radishes, lettuce, spinach and spring onions. Under cover, sow tender crops from February: tomatoes, peppers, courgettes, cucumbers and aubergines. Successional sowing every two to three weeks ensures continuous harvests rather than a feast-and-famine cycle. Annual flowers including cosmos, sunflowers, sweet peas and marigolds should all be sown in spring for summer colour.

What to Plant in Spring

Plant early potatoes from mid-March (St Patrick's Day is the traditional date). Onion sets, shallots and garlic go in during March and April. After the last frost in mid-May, plant out all tender crops and summer bedding. Plant new perennials, shrubs and roses. Spring is excellent for dividing established perennials. Summer-flowering bulbs including dahlias, gladioli and lilies are planted from March to May. Bare-root planting continues until March, after which container-grown plants take over.

What to Harvest in Spring

Spring harvests include purple sprouting broccoli, spring cabbage, asparagus (from late April), rhubarb, overwintered leeks and early salads. By late spring, the first new potatoes, broad beans, peas and radishes are ready. Herbs revive strongly in spring, providing fresh rosemary, mint, chives and parsley. Wild garlic is abundant in Irish woodlands during April and May. Strawberries begin fruiting in polytunnels from late May.

Lawn Care in Spring

Spring is the key period for lawn establishment and renovation in Ireland. Begin mowing from March when the grass starts growing. Apply spring feed in March or April. Overseed thin patches in April and September. Scarify to remove winter moss and thatch. Aerate compacted areas. Sow new lawns or lay turf from April onwards.

General Garden Tasks for Spring

Spring cleaning is essential: clear winter debris, weed beds, mulch borders with compost, prune roses and summer-flowering shrubs. Divide perennials, stake tall-growing plants early, and harden off seedlings before planting out. Watch for slugs, aphids and late frosts. Start feeding container plants. Prepare supports for climbing plants and beans.

Ireland-Specific Tips for Spring

Spring arrives gradually in Ireland, with significant variation between the mild south coast and cooler northern regions. March can still bring frost and snow, while May is usually warm and settled. The transformation is remarkable — from bare winter gardens to lush, colourful abundance in just three months. Spring rainfall is generally moderate and reliable, supporting excellent growing conditions. The lengthening days from the equinox in March through to the longest day in June provide increasing energy for plant growth across all Irish counties.

Frequently Asked Questions

For practical gardening purposes, spring begins in Ireland when the soil temperature consistently reaches 6-8°C, which typically occurs in early to mid-March in the south and east, and late March in the north and west. Meteorological spring begins on 1st March. The traditional Irish calendar (Imbolc/St Brigid's Day on 1st February) marks the earliest stirrings of spring. Most gardeners consider mid-March the start of the active outdoor growing season, when potatoes go in on St Patrick's Day and the first outdoor sowings become possible.

The essential spring tasks for Irish gardeners are: preparing vegetable beds with compost, sowing seeds both indoors and outdoors, planting potatoes and onion sets, applying spring lawn feed, pruning roses and summer-flowering shrubs, dividing perennials, and hardening off tender seedlings before planting out after the last frost in mid-May. Pest control becomes important as slugs and aphids emerge. Mulching borders conserves moisture and suppresses weeds. Starting a regular feeding programme for containers and hungry crops sets the foundation for abundant summer harvests.

Late frost is a real risk in Ireland until mid-May in most areas. Keep horticultural fleece ready to drape over tender plants when frost is forecast. Move container plants against south-facing walls for warmth. Use cloches, cold frames and polytunnels to protect early sowings. Avoid planting out tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and bedding plants until the last frost risk has passed. Water the soil around plants in the evening before a frost night, as moist soil retains more warmth. In frost pockets, consider delaying planting by two weeks compared to milder areas.

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