Lidl has reported seeing a surge in garden sales as UK consumers gear up for the Easter weekend.

It said sales of seeds and bulbs had jumped by over a third in March, while demand for soil and mulch also rose +50% compared to last year, with warmer weather prompting purchasing.

Its middle aisle had also witnessed an uptick in green-fingered purchases, with its Parkside gardening range, which includes pressure washers and large walk-in greenhouses, experiencing a jump of over +10% in sales.

Recent warmer spring weather had also helped boost total UK retail sales, which climbed +1.1% year-on-year last month, according to British Retail Consortium-KPMG data.

“The improving weather made for a particularly strong final week, with gardening and DIY equipment flying off the shelves,” Helen Dickinson, CEO of the British Retail Consortium, said. “Retailers are making final preparations for Easter, with food expected to be the big winner,” she added.

GlobalData expects Easter spending to reach an estimated £2.3billion around the event, with 40% of UK shoppers intending to spend more on Easter this year compared to last year.