{"id":313655,"date":"2026-01-31T17:39:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T17:39:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/313655\/"},"modified":"2026-01-31T17:39:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T17:39:29","slug":"mary-berry-says-this-is-the-most-important-gardening-job-for-new-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/313655\/","title":{"rendered":"Mary Berry Says This Is The Most Important Gardening Job For New Growth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dame Mary Berry<\/a> has turned her attention from the kitchen to the garden<\/a>, revealing the ‘most important’ gardening job she swears by to encourage new growth. <\/p>\n

Speaking in an Instagram video<\/a> to promote her new gardening book, My Gardening Life, the TV chef said: “There are so many lessons that I’ve learnt, but what are the real ones? I think the most important one is to deadhead<\/strong>. We always think of just deadheading<\/a> roses, but don’t forget the other plants; the more you deadhead, the more you will encourage new growth.” <\/p>\n

Mary went on to say, “Another tip is when you have a new plant, keep watering it well. Once it has found its roots, it will look after itself.” <\/p>\n

In the book, Mary speaks about her lifelong gardening passion, sharing insights into her beautiful garden, anecdotes and the vital role of connecting to nature. Revealing her deep love of plants and gardening, she also previously said<\/a> that, in another life, she ‘might have been a gardener’. <\/p>\n

\"mary\"pinterest\"<\/a>Jeff Spicer\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Mary Berry with Alan Titchmarsh at the Chelsea Flower Show 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deadheading is a key gardening job for February, while the plants are still dormant. <\/p>\n

“Some plants still benefit from a bit of deadheading to keep them looking their best,” say the experts at Cherry Lane Garden Centres<\/a>. “Removing spent flowers from winter-flowering varieties like pansies, violas, and hellebores encourages more blooms and stops the plant from putting energy into seed production.<\/p>\n

“Regular deadheading also prevents the flowers from turning to mush in cold, damp conditions. Simply pinch off the faded blooms with your fingers or use a pair of clean, sharp scissors for more precise removal.”<\/p>\n

Other gardening jobs to tick off before spring include pruning plants<\/a> like wisteria and fruit trees, and planting bare-root varieties so they can establish their roots in time for the next season. <\/p>\n

My Gardening Life by Mary Berry<\/a> will be released in February 2026. <\/p>\n

20 gardening tools and essentials you can get delivered to your home right now\"Walsall<\/a>Walsall Wheelbarrows 85L Heavy Duty Builders Barrow – Black<\/p>\n

Now 13% Off<\/p>\n

Credit: Argos<\/p>\n

Moving mulch, compost or soil to your garden beds?\u00a0A wheelbarrow is an essential to save your back. One-wheeled, two-handled options are great for\u00a0manoeuvrability, but if you’re limited in strength you may want to opt for a dual-wheeled one.<\/p>\n

\"RHS<\/a>RHS Burgon and Ball stainless digging spadeCredit: Crocus<\/p>\n

A fantastic spade that’s RHS-approved, this stainless steel choice is rust-resistant and won’t need regular sharpening, making it easy to maintain. Long-handle spades like this are great for digging large plots and transferring soil (not to mention being easier on your back). This is also a sustainable choice with the handle made from FSC-certified ash.<\/p>\n

\"V&A<\/a>V&A William Morris Gardening Gloves<\/p>\n

Add a splash of bold and beautiful colour to your garden activities with these stylish William Morris-print gloves. Not just for good looks, of course, they’ll also protect you from thorns and brambles while you’re working.<\/p>\n

\"DeWit<\/a>DeWit double leaf rakeCredit: Crocus<\/p>\n

Keep your garden looking spic and span and free from leaves and debris with this top-notch DeWit rake, which makes clearing up much more pleasurable.<\/p>\n

\"Sicilian<\/a>Sicilian lemon kneeler pillow<\/p>\n

Protect your knees while getting in amongst the borders with this pretty kneeler. Or you might prefer strap-on knee pads so you don’t have to keep moving it \u2013 BUY NOW, \u00a314.99<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Garden<\/a>Garden ApronCredit: Garden Trading <\/p>\n

Protect your clothes and get organised with a stylish gardening apron.\u00a0Whether you’re planting new flowerbeds, picking vegetables or potting around in the shed or greenhouse, this trusty apron will ensure clothes stay clean. What’s more, all important tools, seeds and more can be stored close to hand in the front pocket.<\/p>\n

\"Webb<\/a>Webb electric rotary mower ER40 15″<\/p>\n

Opt for a more eco-friendly electric lawnmower as opposed to a petrol one.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Bosch<\/a>Bosch EasyHedgeCut 12-35 Cordless Hedge CutterCredit: John Lewis<\/p>\n

Ensyure your hedges and borders looks super-smart with an easy-lift, lightweight, cable-free\u00a0trimmer for quick and easy grooming.<\/p>\n

\"RHS<\/a>RHS Burgon and Ball stainless steel digging fork<\/p>\n

An efficient tool for turning soil, garden forks can dig into dense soil better than a spade. This one\u00a0made from rust-proof stainless steel with forged tines for extra strength, is a\u00a0high-quality digging fork that’s endorsed by the RHS. Need we say more?<\/p>\n

\"Garden<\/a>Garden Tools In Wood And CopperCredit: Not on the High Street<\/p>\n

The ultimates hand tool, trowels are wonderful for transplanting bedding plants and herbs, and planting containers. Hand forks, meanwhile, are perfect for\u00a0taking out weeds.\u00a0 Not only are these a lovely on-trend copper, the material naturally doesn’t rust and repels slugs and snails.<\/p>\n

\"Personalised<\/a>Personalised Copper Plated Garden Pruner SecateursCredit: Not on the High Street<\/p>\n

Plants taking over? Pruning shears, or secateurs as they’re also known,\u00a0help reign in plants that are getting out of control. They’re also perfect for trimming flowers, like roses.\u00a0Why not match yours to your hand trowel and fork for stylish trio?<\/p>\n

\"DeWit<\/a>DeWit Dutch hoeCredit: Crocus<\/p>\n

This well-crafted garden hoe\u00a0will make light work of clearing weeds from your flower beds, borders and veg plots. The extra-long handle will also protect you from back strain.<\/p>\n

\"Galvanised<\/a>Galvanised Watering CanCredit: Garden Trading<\/p>\n

All gardens need a trusty watering can to keep flowers and plants thriving.\u00a0 This durable one is available in three sizes, so you can choose the one to suit your outdoor space. The 1.5L is perfect for herb pots on plant stands. The 5L for small gardens with plant pots and flowers. And the biggest, the 10L for vast rural flowerbeds and herb gardens.<\/p>\n

\"FLYMO<\/a>FLYMO Contour 500E Grass TrimmerCredit: Currys<\/p>\n

Tackle a variety of different tasks around your garden with ease with the simple press of a button. This handy trimmer can be used to edge the borders of your lawn, and a\u00a0wheel is fitted to the trimmer, making it easier to follow the edges around walls and fences. There’s also a shrubbing mode, making it simple to tackle difficult-to-reach areas, like under benches and bushes.<\/p>\n

\"Set<\/a>Set of 6 Plant TagsCredit: Garden Trading<\/p>\n

Keep track of what you’ve planted with these stylish slate plant labels. The set comes complete with a square soapstone pencil, which allows you to interchange the labels with what’s in season or current family favourites<\/p>\n

\"Tool<\/a>Tool stoolCredit: RHS Plants<\/p>\n

Keep everything together in a clever storage box that also doubles up as a foldable seat. You’ll enjoy gardening so much more if you’re comfortable and everything is to hand.\u00a0The removable bag fastens with press studs and includes spacious side compartments for hand tools, dibbers, pens, string,\u00a0 and other necessities,\u00a0and a central section perfect for larger items or a spot of lunch.<\/p>\n

\"Fiskars<\/a>Fiskars Solid Lopper Bypass L11Credit: Robert Dyas<\/p>\n

Another handy cutting tool, loppers are basically long-handled pruning shears\u00a0used to trim hard-to-reach areas and cut thicker branches.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"RSPB<\/a>RSPB Garden wildlife camera – new<\/p>\n

Don’t miss the incredible action going on in your own garden. A good wildlife camera will capture all the exciting activity. This one from RSPB can be used to view anything from birds on a feeder, bird tables and nest box entrances, to hedgehogs and other nocturnal wildlife. It can also even be used to keep an eye on the garden or house as a security camera.<\/p>\n

\"Soil<\/a>Soil test kitCredit: RHS Plants<\/p>\n

Maintain an ideal growing environment with an easy-to-use soil tester kit. You can test the pH and nutrient profile of your soil, think\u00a0soil acidity and levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash, to see if it needs extra help.<\/p>\n

\"SPGOOD<\/a>SPGOOD 50FT\/15M Expanding Garden Hose Set with Splitter, Foam Water Bottle Expandable Garden Hose, 9 Futions Spray<\/p>\n

Water is the foundation of your garden\u2019s life and it\u2019s important that your garden hose can reach and spray every area. If you buy one with an adjustable nozzle, it\u00a0puts you in control of the water pressure and spray radius. You can also buy nozzles separately.<\/p>\n

\"HeadshotLisa Joyner<\/a><\/p>\n

Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful<\/p>\n

\u00a0Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK<\/a> and Country Living UK<\/a>, where she’s busy writing about home and interiors, gardening<\/a>, dog breeds<\/a>, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller<\/a>, House & Garden<\/a> and Marie Claire<\/a> magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism. \u00a0<\/p>\n