The snows have cleared and spring seems to be finally upon us. Nymans is positively bursting with energy, and the multitude of bulbs and buds that are beginning to appear suggests that something quite wonderful awaits us.

It’s now time to put the big winter tidy up behind you and turn your attention to growing and planting. Here at Nymans, we usually spend the colder months working on our show-stoppers – the summer borders. From September through to November, we pack them with field beans, a type of green manure that puts nitrogen and organic matter back into tired soil. Make a note in your gardening diary to try this for yourself next autumn.

This winter though, we’ve been refining the borders’ design, and giving the beds a real makeover. They’ve been cleared, perennials have been lifted and divided, and weeds have been eliminated. It’s not too late to improve your own flower beds for this year. Try treating them to a good helping of mulch, which will improve the soil structure, nutrient content and suppress weeds. Start thinking about selecting new plants that will give your garden’s colour palette a really harmonious look. You can create a great sense of proportion by selecting lofty perennials, together with more petite annuals.

We grow a lot of our own plants at Nymans, and we were excited to start seed sowing for the summer borders in the glass house last week. The seeds have already begun to sprout and soon it will be time to plant them out and watch as they transform the walled garden into a riot of colour and scent. You don’t need a glass house to sow seeds though; they can be planted in seedling trays placed close to windows but not near direct heat. The trays usually come with a clear plastic lid which can be put over the seeds during cold nights.

Spring is an exhilarating time of year at Nymans. There’s a surprise around every corner and the garden is awash with floriferous delights. We’re open seven days a week, so wrap up warm and come and have a springtime adventure at Nymans.

  • Nymans, Handcross, nr Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6EB, Tel: 01444 405250, www.national trust.org.uk/nymans. Gardens, woods, restaurant, shop and plant centre open every day (except Dec 25). House open every day from Mar 1 to Oct 31