Top Tips for Successful Gardening in Preston, Lancashire

Let's Grow Preston
6 days ago
4 min read

A community guide from Let’s Grow Preston

Gardening in Preston Lancashire community garden.

At Let’s Grow Preston, we believe gardening has the power to transform lives. Through horticultural therapy, volunteering, and community action, we help people across Preston connect with green spaces, improve their wellbeing, and build stronger communities.

This guide brings together our local knowledge, drawn from years of supporting volunteers and running our two community gardens in Preston, Lancashire. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, these Preston-specific tips will help you nurture a thriving garden while enjoying the wellbeing benefits of spending time outdoors.

Understanding Preston’s Climate and Soil

Preston’s temperate maritime climate—mild summers, cool winters, and regular rainfall—creates ideal conditions for a wide variety of plants. But understanding your soil and local weather patterns can make gardening much easier.

Clay Soil in Preston

Many parts of Preston have clay-heavy soil. It’s rich in nutrients but can become compacted. We regularly teach volunteers to improve it using:

Compost
Well-rotted manure
Leaf mould

These additions boost drainage and help plant roots establish more easily.

Local Frost Dates

Preston generally experiences:

Last frost: late April
First frost: early November

This influences when you can safely plant tender crops and when to protect vulnerable plants.

Plants That Thrive in Preston, Lancashire

Choosing the right plants makes gardening more enjoyable and more successful, something we see every day through our community projects.

Reliable Perennials

Lavender
Heuchera
Sedum

These hardy plants perform well in Preston’s climate and return year after year.

Vegetables That Love Lancashire Weather

Carrots
Parsnips
Kale and cabbage
Potatoes

These crops thrive in cooler temperatures and clay-based soil.

Dependable Flowers for Colour

Spring: daffodils, tulips, crocuses
Summer/Autumn: asters, dahlias

Our community gardeners often grow these for local neighbourhood brightening projects.

Planning Your Garden Layout Thoughtfully

Good garden design helps plants thrive and creates spaces that support wellbeing, a key goal in our horticultural therapy work.

Sunlight

Most plants need 6+ hours of sunlight. Observe your garden to understand its natural light patterns.

Shelter From Wind

Preston can be breezy. Planting hedges, shrubs, or installing fencing helps protect delicate plants.

Companion Planting

Pairing certain plants helps them grow better together. A volunteer favourite:

Tomatoes + marigolds → marigolds deter pests naturally.

Regular Care for a Healthy Garden

Volunteering in the garden teaches that small, regular actions create big results.

Watering

Even with Preston’s rainfall, dry spells happen. Water in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.

Weeding

Removing weeds early helps plants get the nutrients they need.

Feeding

Organic feeds such as seaweed extract, fish emulsion, or homemade compost tea nourish plants safely.

Pruning

Trimming shrubs and deadheading flowers keeps your garden fresh and encourages new growth.

Managing Pests and Diseases in Preston

Lancashire’s damp conditions sometimes encourage pests and fungal issues, but they can be managed naturally.

Encouraging Beneficial Wildlife

Plant nectar-rich flowers to attract ladybirds and lacewings—your natural pest controllers.

Preventing Slug Damage

Try:

Copper tape
Crushed eggshells
Wool pellets

Reducing Disease

Give plants space for airflow
Remove diseased leaves promptly
Water the soil, not the leaves

Local Gardening Resources in Preston

As a charity, we know how powerful community connection can be. If you want to learn more, meet people, or get involved, Preston offers fantastic opportunities.

Let’s Grow Preston Community Gardens

We run two community gardens in Preston, where volunteers:

Improve physical and mental wellbeing
Learn gardening and environmental skills
Help grow plants for community projects
Support neighbourhood brightening schemes

All our plants and garden produce are a by-product of volunteering, helping sustain our work.

Workshops & Events

We regularly host workshops for beginners, volunteers, and community groups. Other local nurseries and Lancashire County Council also run events throughout the year.

Local Garden Centres

Regional centres and independents often stock plants that thrive in Preston’s climate.

Seasonal Gardening Tips for Preston

Spring

Add compost
Prepare beds
Start seeds indoors

Summer

Keep up with watering
Harvest regularly
Manage pests

Autumn

Plant spring bulbs
Mulch borders
Tidy beds

Winter

Protect tender plants
Clean tools
Plan your garden for next year

Conclusion

Gardening in Preston, Lancashire isn’t just about plants, it’s about community, wellbeing, and making green spaces flourish. By choosing plants suited to local soil and climate, planning your garden thoughtfully, and caring for it consistently, you can create a garden that thrives year-round.

At Let’s Grow Preston, we’re passionate about helping people connect with nature, improve their physical and mental wellbeing, and brighten up Preston’s communities through gardening. Whether you volunteer with us, attend a workshop, or try these tips at home, every small act of gardening contributes to a healthier, greener Preston.

FAQ: Gardening in Preston, Lancashire

Why is gardening so beneficial for wellbeing?

Spending time outdoors reduces stress, improves mood, increases physical activity, and supports community connection—all core parts of our work at Let’s Grow Preston.