SPRING is here. The days are getting longer, the ground is warming up, and the spring flowers are blossoming.

Beautiful swathes of snowdrops, daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths can be seen in Dorset and there are many picturesque walks where the transition of seasons can be observed.

This year Easter falls on Sunday April 24, which marks an ideal time to get out in the garden and get your hands dirty to inject a burst of colour to your outside space.

We spoke to Chris Evans, nursery manager at Kings Park Nursery, who grows flowers for many gardens in the borough.

He said: “In Bournemouth’s gardens we try to create all year round displays. Personally, I work six months ahead, so very shortly I’ll be doing the winter designs. The summer flowers are done and are just starting to grow now, we get them ready for June, so it’s a very busy time for us in that respect, as it is for everyone in the gardening world this time of year.

“There are amazing early shrubs at the moment, a beautiful scent from Witch Hazel and other shrubs can be enjoyed right the way through the upper, central and lower gardens in the borough. We try to provide a myriad of interesting colours throughout the year which is very important for our visitors and for our locals, who I know really appreciate it. It’s a busy job - your feet don’t touch the ground.

“Spring is a beautiful season - the daffodils are starting to come up, and snowdrops, crocus and hellebores can all be admired.”

So what advice can you bestow upon us?

“There are a lot of things people can do in their gardens in March…always feed your bulbs after they have flowered with a basic blood, fish and bone or organic fertiliser, and start planting summer flowering bulbs such as lilies and Glads. Don’t knot your daffodils, you have to keep the leaves for at least six weeks after they flower.

“There are many horticultural societies in Bournemouth and opportunities for people to get involved in community projects. Allotment societies are great. It is difficult to get an allotment as it’s a lifestyle choice nowadays. There are a lot more women growing on allotments - the days of just stereotypical old men are gone now. More people want fresh flavoursome produce without chemicals,” adds Chris.

Kings Park Nursery is also gearing up for the forthcoming RHS Tattan Park Flower Show, running July 20-24.

“We have created designs for Chelsea gardens before and this year we’re going to the Tattan Flower show for the national flower bed competition and we’re after the gold this year. We’re going not just as a park’s team, but with groups of volunteers. Bournemouth in Bloom are going to help which is fantastic and we’re possibly going to get help from social services and housing volunteers.

“We are still looking for people who would like to volunteer, it’s an amazing experience, so please get in touch with the nursery. There are various ways they can help and there are plenty of things to do as we have to grow all our own plants in the nursery to take up to the show.”

Chris finished by sharing some wisdom: “Keep on top of the weeds… ‘One year’s seed is seven years’ weed’ – so if you can stop them flowering and seeding then you’re well on your way.“ Residents in Dorset can help sow the seed for future generations. In a recent article written for the 20th anniversary edition of Gardener’s World magazine, the Prince of Wales spoke about his passion for gardening.

Writing in the publication, the Prince said: “Gardeners can be key players in addressing environmental issues, as many have a wealth of knowledge about the natural world, are connected through their gardens with nature and, for those gardening organically, understand what is meant by balance and harmony.

“It is encouraging to see the number of people starting to grow their own food, whether in their gardens, allotments or containers.”

Places to visit

Compton Acres: Enjoy the flowers in the fine Italian garden, walk between the stone pillars of a historical Roman garden and relax under a thatched roof in the most glorious Japanese garden. Rhododendrons still form a background of dark foliage, but during spring/summer the area is lit with tulips and summer annuals.

Kingston Maurward Gardens: These beautiful gardens surround a fine Georgian mansion. There are 35 acres of 18th century gardens, including a five-acre lake. The Edwardian garden is run by the Dorset College of Agriculture. There are spectacular displays of roses and herbaceous plants and the gardens also have an animal park and visitors centre.

Knoll Gardens: The award-winning garden attracts thousands of visitors each year. The beautifully maintained six-acre garden has over 6,000 well-labelled plants from all over the world. There are plenty of seats throughout the garden and level paths to walk on.

Mapperton Gardens: This garden is dominated by a fine 17th century manor house. The Jacobean house with Tudor features was built in the 1660s. During the last 40 years a shrubbery and woodland have been established and many unusual statues are to be found scattered in the gardens.

Minterne Gardens: The informal gardens at Minterne are laid out in a horseshoe below Minterne House, the home of the Churchill and Digby families for 350 years. The twenty acres of woodland are at their best in the spring when collections of Himalayan rhododendrons, azaleas, acers and cherries can be seen.

Edmondsham House and Gardens: Edmondsham House is a blend of Tudor and Georgian architecture.

The house is surrounded by six acres of gardens. The large collection of flowering shrubs and bulbs create a blaze of colour in the spring.

Deans Court: Deans Court garden in Wimborne is thirteen acres of partly wild gardens surrounding an old house, which was once the Deanery to the Minster. There are specimen trees, lawns and borders. A kitchen garden has a long serpentine wall and some of the oldest varieties of vegetables are grown here.

On your own patch

In March the gardening season really gets going, so follow these top tips from celebrity gardening guru, Alan Titchmarsh for B&Q …

• Show weeds the door - Pull them out in paths, beds and lawns and dig down to the roots to make sure you get the whole thing out, taking care not to damage any growing flower bulbs. For persistent weeds, you might want to use weedkiller, but read the instructions carefully first – weedkillers kill cultivated plants as well!

• Dig up and divide perennials - Perennials are those reliable blooms that live for years, dying down in winter and popping back up in spring… think Rudbeckia, Delphiniums and Michaelmas daisies. Once they get tatty or too overcrowded to flower, they need digging up and dividing, but gently.

• Sow fruit and veg - Watching the pennies? Hankering after fresh, tasty food? Then get ready to grow your own! Sow peas, plant potatoes in pots undercover, sow seeds of lettuce, spring onions, broad beans, tomatoes and carrots… And why not try some herbs while you’re at it?