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GARDENING TIPS FOR DECEMBER 2010
A QUIET MONTH
WINTER DIGGING
CONTINUE DIGGING AS THE GROUND BECOMES AVAILABLE, AND THE WEATHER IS SUITABLE. LEAVE ROUGH AS WEATHER WILL BREAK THE SOIL DOWN.
REMOVE ALL PLANT DEBRIS FROM VEGETABLE PLOT TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF DISEASE AND PESTS.
REMOVE YELLOW LEAVES ON BRUSSEL SPROUTS TO PREVENT GREY MOULD.
SEED CATALOGUES
LOOK THROUGH AND ORDER YOUR SEEDS E.T.C. FOR 2011
POTATOES
SORT THROUGH STORED POTATOES AND CHECK FOR DISEASE OR ROTTING OF TUBERS AND SLUGS.
WATCH OUT FOR MICE, WHERE VEGETABLES ARE BEING STORED.
STAKE ANY YOUNG TREES AND TALL BRASSICAS TO PREVENT WIND ROCK DAMAGING THEM.
RHUBARB NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO PLANT RHUBARB CROWNS.
GARLIC CLOVES CAN STILL BE PLANTED IN SOIL WITH GOOD DRAINAGE, THEY CAN BENEFIT FROM A PERIOD OF COLD WEATHER, WHICH PROMPTS GROWTH LATER.
HOLLY TO GUARANTEE BERRIES ON HOLLY SPRIGS AND WREATHS, 2 TO 3 WEEKS BEFORE USING THEM, HANG UP IN A SHED WHERE MICE AND BIRDS CAN’T GET AT THEM.
TWENTY POISONOUS PLANTS IN YOUR GARDEN
BUSY LIZZIE ( YOUNG STEMS AND LEAVES )
BUTTERCUP ( LEAVES )
CLEMATIS ( LEAVES )
DAPHNE ( LEAVES AND BERRIES )
ELDER ( SHOOTS AND LEAVES )
FOXGLOVE ( LEAVES )
HELLEBORE ( LEAVES )
HYDRANGEA ( LEAVES )
LABURNUM ( LEAVES AND SEEDS )
LAUREL ( ALL )
LILLY OF THE VALLEY ( LEAVES AND FLOWERS )
LOBELIA ( LEAVES AND STEMS )
MISTLETOE ( BERRIES )
MONKSHEAD ( ALL )
POINSETTIA ( LEAVES )
PRIMROSE ( LEAVES AND STEMS )
PRIVET ( LEAVES AND BERRIES )
RHUBARB ( LEAVES )
WISTERIA ( ALL )
YEW ( ALL )
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CHINESE PROVERB
IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY FOR A DAY, GET DRUNK.
FOR A WEEK , KILL A PIG.
FOR A MONTH, GET MARRIED.
FOR LIFE BE A GARDENER.
_____________________________________
HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
LOOK OUT FOR MORE OF MICK’S TIPS
IN JANUARY 2011
GARDENING TIPS FOR NOVEMBER 2010
MICK’S TIPS
WINTER DIGGING
START WINTER DIGGING NOW AS THE GROUND BECOMES AVAILABLE.
SEED CATALOGUES SEASON 2011
START LOOKING THROUGH SEED CATALOGUES
AND ORDER YOUR SEEDS ETC. FOR NEXT YEARS GROWING SEASON.
VEGETABLES
BROAD BEANS
AUTUMN SOWINGS CAN NOW BE PLANTED. AQUADULCE CLAUDIA IS THE MOST COMMON SEED TO USE. SOW IN SHELTERED POSITIONS.
BRASSICAS BRUSSEL SPROUTS , WINTER CABBAGE, ETC. SHOULD BE READY FOR PICKING NOW. START PICKING BIGGEST SPROUTS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE STEM AND WORK UPWARDS .
CELERIAC DIG UP AS REQUIRED.
LIFT AND STORE ALL REMAINING ROOT CROPS STILL IN THE GROUND SUCH AS CARROTS, SWEDES, BEETROOT, TURNIPS.
CAULIFLOWERS PROTECT CURDS BY FOLDING OVER THE LEAVES . THIS WILL DELAY OPENING OF THE FLOWERS AND PROTECT FROM THE COLD WEATHER ETC.
GARLIC
PLANT IN NOVEMBER OR LATER ON LIGHT SOILS. ENSURE THE VARIETY YOU GROW IS SUITED TO THE U.K. PLANT IN SOIL WITH GOOD DRAINAGE.
ONIONS AUTUMN PLANTING ONION SETS, AND SHALLOTS CAN NOW BE PLANTED.
CELERY CONTINUE HARVESTING AS REQUIRED.
ASPARAGUS CUT DOWN TO ( 1 INCH ) OFF THE GROUND , REMOVE ALL DEBRIS FROM AROUND THE CROWNS TO DISCOURAGE OVER WINTERING ASPARAGUS BEETLE. MULCH WELL WITH WELL ROTTED GARDEN COMPOST.
POTATOES CHECK STORED POTATOES FOR ANY ROTTING OR SLUG DAMAGE.
LEEKS SHOULD BE ABOUT READY NOW DIG UP AS YOU REQUIRE THEM.
PARSNIPS CAN BE LEFT IN THE GROUND OVER WINTER . DIG THESE UP AS YOU REQUIRE THEM.
GREENHOUSE GIVE GREENHOUSE A GOOD TIDY UP AND WASH DOWN WHEN POSSIBLE.
SPRING BULBS PLANT ANY REMAINING BULBS IN YOUR BORDERS, TUBS, CONTAINERS ETC. READY FOR SPRING COLOUR.
YOUNG TREES CHECK THEY ARE WELL SUPPORTED WITH STAKES AND TIES TO PROTECT THEM AGAINST STRONG WINTER WINDS.
OLD SAYING
THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WITH A BEARD , WHO SAID, “ IT IS JUST AS I FEARED “ TWO OWLS AND A HEN , FOUR LARKS AND A WREN , HAVE ALL BUILT THEIR NESTS IN MY BEARD.
LOOK OUT FOR MORE FROM MICK’S TIPS
IN DECEMBER HAPPY DIGGING
GARDENING TIPS FOR OCTOBER 2010
OLD SAYINGS
CLEAR MOON, FROST SOON, HALO AROUND THE MOON RAIN SOON.
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IN OCTOBER DUNG YOUR FIELD, AND YOUR LAND ITS WEALTH WILL YIELD.
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VEGETABLES
Potatoes lift any remaining potatoes and sort , dry and store in sacks.
runner and French beans should be coming to the end now, especially if caught by early frosts. cut off the bean plant but leave roots and dig in as these provide nitrogen to the soil.
onions any remaining spring planted onions should be lifted dried and stored. autumn onion sets can be bought and planted now. choose a well drained and sunny position area, where the soil is reasonably good.
brassicas early planted brussel sprouts will soon be ready for picking, also cabbage.
spring cabbage any remaining plants should be planted out now and netted to discourage the birds.
courgettes and marrows any remaining fruits should be cut and stored, as any early frosts will kill them.
sweet corn continue picking sweet corn test for ripeness, when the silks on the end of the cob have turned to chocolate brown these cobs are fit to pick.
lettuce for autumn sowing try valdor variety which is very hardy, and matures in the spring or winter density variety.
asparagus if the foliage is turning brown, it’s time to cut it down to ( 1 inch ) off the ground. remove all debris from around the crowns to discourage over wintering asparagus beetle. mulch with well rotted garden compost.
celeriac should be ready for harvesting now.
celery self blanching varieties should be ready for harvesting now.
lawns regular mowing should stop this month, raise the height of the cut again for the last two cuts. make sure all edges are nicely trimmed.
outdoor tomatoes pick any green tomatoes , place on trays in a frost free place or put in brown paper bags. a ripe apple or banana can be placed with them for quick ripening. the reason is due to ethylene gas production, which is a hormone that promotes ripening.
summer bedding plants these can be dug up now. dig the beds over, then plant with winter pansies, viola,s wallflowers, bellis daisys, myosotis, polyanthus, e.t.c. bulbs such as tulips, hyacinths and miniature daffodils can be planted between them to give a colourful display in the spring.
baskets, tubs and containers these can now be emptied and refilled with fresh compost and replanted with flowers and bulbs, such as winter hardy, cyclamen, viola’s , pansies, bellis daisy e.t.c. a layer of bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths e.t.c. can be planted under the flowers for extra colour in the spring.
other jobs to do
1. harvest apples, pears e.t.c.
2. divide herbaceous perennials and rhubarb crowns .
3. prune climbing roses .
4. move tender plants into greenhouse.
5. prune blackcurrants, gooseberries, red and white currants at leaf fall.
6. remove all plant debris from vegetable plot , to reduce the spread of disease and pests.
7. remove yellowing leaves from brussels sprouts to prevent grey mould.
8. protect late varieties of cauliflower from early frosts by bending a few leaves over the curds.
cut back perennials that have died down and clear away and compost.
banana skins laid just below the surface of the soil have been said to be very good for roses, as they rot quickly. these produce sulphur, phosphates, sodium and silica.
look out for more of Mick's tips in November
GARDENING TIPS FOR SEPTEMBER 2010
We may enjoy an indian summer autumn is almost upon us, the first frosts may come this month , leading to blackened foliage of tender plants.
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why do potatoes make good detectives ? because they keep their eyes peeled.
potatoescan be lifted dried and stored in sacks e.t.c. potato tops can be cut off prior to lifting to help the skins to set.
runner beans should still be plentiful, but pick whilst young to encourage more growth.
onions should be lifted dried and stored , you can string them up into bunches. autumn onion sets can be bought for planting now , also winter white lisbon seeds can be sown. choose a well drained sunny position where the soil is reasonably good.
brassicascaterpillars, aphids and white fly can now be a problem. bug clearcan be used . always read the instructionsfully beforeuse
marrows and courgettesshould still be plentiful cut young and keep watered.
sweet corn should be ready for picking. test for ripeness, when the silks on the end of the cob have turned chocolate brown.
asparagusif the foliage is turning brown it is time to cut it down to 1 inch off the ground. remove all debris from around the crowns todiscourage overwintering asparagus beetle. mulch with well rotted garden compost.
tomatoes ( outdoors ) if tomatoes are still green harvest the whole vine , then hang them upside down in a greenhouse or indoors, or pick unripe tomatoes and place them in sealed brown paper bags either on their own, or with a ripe apple / or banana for quick ripening. the reason for the apple / banana is due to ethylene gas production which is a hormone that promotes ripening.
bedding plantskeep these watered and dead headed to keep the flowers blooming.
hanging baskets , tubs, pots, containerskeep dead heading and watering and feeding them, some may be going past their best now.
celeriacremove side shoots, and from midsummer onwards remove lower leaves so as to expose the crown.
celeryearly self blanching varieties should be ready for harvesting now.
spring cabbageplants can be set out now. net them to discourage the birds.
fruitpick perpetual strawberries, blueberries plums, damsons, and early and mid season apples and pears.
lawnsincrease interval between mowing and slightly increase the height of the cut. use an autumn fertilizer if the lawn is pale and thin. best time for sowing grass seed for new lawns.
roseskeep roses tidy remove faded blooms by pruning back to a good bud lower down the stem.
IF THE FIRST WEEK IN AUGUST IS UNUSUALLY WARM , THE COMING WINTER WILL BE SNOWY AND LONG.
FOR EVERY FOG IN AUGUST THERE WILL BE A SNOWFALL IN WINTER.
IF A COLD AUGUST FOLLOWS A HOT JULY, IT FORETELLS A WINTER HARD AND DRY.
BRASSICAS WATCH OUT FOR CABBAGE WHITE BUTTERFLYS, THEY LAY THEIR YELLOW EGGS ON THE LEAVES, THESE WILL TURN INTO CATERPILLARS. IF YOU USE SPRAYS, BUG CLEAR CAN BE USED. ALWAYS READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FULLY BEFORE USE. BUG CLEAR CAN ALSO BE USED FOR BLACKFLY, GREEN FLY, WHITE FLY, CABBAGE APHIDS AND RED SPIDER MITES.
FRENCH AND RUNNER BEANS KEEP WATERED AND PICKED YOUNG TO ENCOURAGE MORE GROWTH.
COURGETTES AND MARROWS CONTINUE WATERING AND CUT YOUNG FRUITS.
POTATOES KEEP LOOKING FOR SIGNS OF BLIGHT. DITHANE CAN BE USED. ALWAYS READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FULLY BEFORE USE
SHALLOTS AND ONIONS THESE CAN BE LIFTED AND DRIED THIS MONTH. LARGE SHALLOTS CAN BE KEPT AND USED FOR NEXT YEARS SEED.
SWEETCORN CONTINUE WATERING IN DRY WEATHER.
SPRING CABBAGE THE SEED CAN BE SOWN IN DRILLS IN THE GROUND OR THINLY IN SEED TRAYS NOW.
LEEKS KEEP WATERED IN HOT WEATHER.
CELERY KEEP WATERED TO AVOID STICKS GOING STRING LIKE.
PEAS KEEP WATERED , MAGGOTS IN THE PODS ARE A PROBLEM THIS TIME OF YEAR.
CELERIAC KEEP WATERED IN DRY WEATHER.
ASPARAGUS FOLIAGE SHOULD BE TALL NOW, THIS WILL ENABLE THE ASPARAGUS CROWNS TO BUILD UP RESOURCES FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
TOMATOES KEEP A REGULAR WATERING PATTERN TO AVOID THE FRUIT SPLITTING. KEEP FEEDING , BUT KEEP AN EYE ON THEM FOR BLIGHT, WHITE FLY , ETC.
BEDDING PLANTS KEEP WATERED AND DEAD HEADED TO KEEP FLOWERS BLOOMING. AVOID WATERING IN THE FULL SUN AS THIS CAN CAUSE BURNING OF THE PLANTS.
HANGING BASKETS TUBS,POTS AND CONTAINERS KEEP WATERED DAILY, TWICE IN HOT WEATHER, YOU CAN FEED THEM WITH MIRACLE GROW OR EQUIVALENT ALWAYS READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FULLY BEFORE USE.
SWEET PEAS CONTINUE CUTTING THE FLOWERS AND WATERING.
WEEDS KEEP PULLING OUT AND HOE OFF ANY WEEDS AS THEY APPEAR
AN OLD SAYING.
WHEN YOUR JOINTS ALL START TO ACHE RAINY WEATHER IS AT STAKE.
LOOK OUT FOR MORE GARDENING TIPS FROM MICK’S TIPS IN SEPTEMBER.GARDENING TIPS FOR AUGUST 2010
GARDENING TIPS FOR JULY 2010
MICK’S TIPS
ST, SWITHIN’S DAY 15TH JULY.
THERE IS A WEATHER – RHYME WELL KNOWN SINCE ELIZABETHAN TIMES THAT GOE’S
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ST, SWITHIN’S DAY IF THOU DOST RAIN FOR 40 DAYS IT WILL REMAIN .
ST, SWITHIN’S DAY IF THOU BE FAIR FOR 40 DAYS TWILL RAIN NO MORE.
____________________________________________
THERE IS AN OLD SAYING. WHEN IT RAINS ON ST, SWITHINS DAY, IT IS THE SAINT CHRISTENING THE APPLES.
VEGETABLES BRASSICAS WATCH OUT FOR APHIDS, CATERPILLARS WHITE FLY ETC. THESE CAN ALL BE SPRAYED WITH BUG CLEAR OR SPRAYDAY GREENFLY KILLER OR EQUIVALENT. ALWAYS READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FULLY BEFORE USE. NETTING WITH SMALL MESH CAN KEEP BUTTERFLYS OFF FROM LAYING EGGS, IF COMPLETELY COVERED.
FRENCH & RUNNER BEANS KEEP WATERED AND PICKED YOUNG TO ENCOURARE MORE GROWTH.
BROAD BEANS WATCH OUT FOR BLACKFLY & CHOCOLATE SPOT. REMOVE TOPS OF THE PLANTS.
COURGETTES & MARROWS REGULAR WATERING IS ESSENTIAL. CUT THE FRUITS WHEN YOUNG.
POTATOES EARLY POTATOES SHOULD BE BEING DUG NOW. BLIGHT CAN BE A PROBLEM WITH LATE VARIETIES OF POTATOES. IF YOU USE SPRAYS DITHANE CAN BE USED TO COMBAT THIS. ALWAYS READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FULLY BEFORE USE.
SWEET CORN GROWS VERY QUICKLY NOW WITH THE SUNNY WEATHER . KEEP WATERED OR THE PLANTS WILL DRY OUT AND GO YELLOW.
CARROTS CARROT FLY CAN APPEAR NOW AND CAN BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL . NEXT YEAR TRY A CARROT FLY RESISTANT VARIETY OR AGRALAN ENVIROMESH INSECT PROTECTION FOR VEGETABLES. CARROTS PLANTED EARLY TO AVOID CARROT FLY SHOULD NOW BE BEING HARVESTED.
LEEKS KEEP WATERED IN THE SUMMER ON A REGULAR BASIS DO NOT ALLOW TO DRY OUT AND GO YELLOW.
CELERY THESE PLANTS NEED TO BE KEPT WATERED ON A REGULAR BASIS AND NOT ALLOWED TO DRY OUT IN SUNNY HOT WEATHER AS THESE WILL DRY OUT AND GO YELLOW.
CELERIAC THESE PLANTS ALSO NEED WATERING ON A REGULAR BASIS . DO NOT ALLOW TO DRY OUT AND GO YELLOW IN THE SUMMER SEASON.
PEAS KEEP WATERED IN DRY WEATHER AND PICK PODS ON A REGULAR BASIS AS THE PODS FILL UP . DO NOT LET THE PEAS GET OLD .
SALADS CAN STILL BE SOWN LETTUCE , RADISH, BEETROOT. ETC. BUT MUST BE KEPT WATERED AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR TO DO ANY GOOD.
SWEDES KEEP WATERED IN DRY WEATHER AND KEEP A CLOSE CHECK ON THEM FOR POWDERY MILDEW AND ALSO CLUB ROOT. IF HAVE A PROBLEM THIS YEAR TRY A VARIETY RESISTANT FROM SUTTONS SEEDS CALLED INVITATION NEXT YEAR. ASPARAGUS STOP CUTTING SPEARS NOW. THIS WILL ALLOW THE FOLIAGE TO DEVELOP NATURALLY , THIS WILL ENABLE THE ASPARAGUS CROWNS TO BUILD UP RESOURCES FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
TOMATOES IN GREENHOUSE. KEEP WATERED REGULAR AND DO NOT ALLOW TO DRY OUT IN HOT WEATHER . IF YOU DO NOT KEEP A REGULAR PATTERN WITH WATERING AND FEEDING THE TOMATOES THIS CAN CAUSE SPLITTING OF THE FRUIT. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR TOMATO BLIGHT AND WHITE FLY ETC. YOU CAN TREAT THIS WITH DITHANE SPRAY BUT PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FULLY BEFORE USE. ( AND THE PERIOD BETWEEN SPRAYING AND EATING THE FRUIT .) ALWAYS WASH THE FRUIT BEFORE EATING. TOMATOES OUTSIDE. TOMATOES GROWN IN GROW BAGS OR OPEN GROUND . SEE INSTRUCTIONS AS ABOVE FOR UNDER GLASS.
SOFT FRUITS KEEP NETTING OVER RIPENING FRUITS TO DETER THE BIRDS FROM EATING THEM.
FLOWERS
ROSES KEEP REMOVING DEAD HEADS AND CONTIUE TO WATCH OUT FOR BLACK SPOT , RUST, GREEN FLY , AND POWDERY MILDEW, ETC. THIS CAN BE TREATED WITH ROSE CLEAR OR MULTIROSE CONCENTRATE SPRAY. NOTE. ALWAYS READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FULLY BEFORE USE THIS APPLYS TO ANY SPRAYS IF YOU USE THEM .
HANGING BASKETS, TUBS, CONTAINERS, ETC. KEEP WATERED DAILY , TWICE IN HOT WEATHER. FEED REGULAR AND KEEP DEAD HEADING.
BEDDING PLANTS KEEP WATERED AND DEAD HEADED , TO KEEP THE FLOWERS BLOOMING . ( DO NOT WATER IN FULL SUN AS THIS WILL CAUSE BURNING OF THE PLANTS) IN VERY HOT WEATHER. WATER BEFORE THE SUN GETS UP AND ON THEM.
SWEET PEAS KEEP WATERED ON A REGULAR BASIS AND KEEP CUTTING THE FLOWERS TO ENCOURAGE NEW GROWTH ON THE PLANTS.
LAWNS.
IF WEEDS OR MOSS CONTINUE TO SURVIVE THE SPRING TREATMENT , APPLY AGAIN IN JULY WITH WEED AND FEED . CUT THE GRASS WEEKLY BUT IN DRY CONDITIONS AVOID CUTTING TO SHORT . THIS WILL HELP STOP THE GRASS BURNING OFF AND GOING BROWN DUE TO THE SUN IN HOT WEATHER.
WEEDS KEEP THE HOE GOING AND HOE ANY WEEDS OFF OR PULL THEM OUT , WITH THIS HOT WEATHER IF PULLED OUT OR HOE OFF THE SUN WILL KILL THEM OFF.
AN OLD ENGLISH PROVERB
WHEN CLOUDS APPEAR LIKE ROCKS AND TOWERS ,
THE EARTH’S REFRESHED BY FREQUENT SHOWERS.
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LOOK OUT FOR MORE GARDENING TIPS
FROM MICK’S TIPS IN AUGUST.
GARDENING TIPS FOR JUNE 2010
MICK’STIPS
JUNEis a very busy month in the garden.
A DRY MAY AND DRIPPING JUNE PUTS EVERYTHING IN
TUNE.
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BE AWARE OF ANY LATE FROSTS ESPECIALLY INLOWER BRAILES.
VEGETABLES
BRASSICAS
Continue planting out BRUSSEL SPROUTS, CABBAGE, PURPLE SPROUTING, KALE . ETC. water them in. net them if problem with birds ETC.
LEEK PLANTSthese can also be planted out trim the tops and puddle them in.
CELERY if growing the self blanching variety these should be grown on level ground 9 inchesapart each way. Do not plant in trenches .regular watering is essential.
BEANScontinue sowing runner and dwarf beans.
BROAD BEANScheck plants for black fly, pinch out tips of plants if black fly is appearing in them.
CARROTScan be sown up to JULY. Carrot fly can be a problem , grow next to onions this helps keep the fly away, or try carrot fly resistant varieties, or cover with AGRALAN ENVIROMESH insect protection for vegetables.
COURGETTESand MARROWS and out door CUCUMBERS can be planted out these must be kept watered.
SALADScontinue sowing lettuce,radish, and beetroot seed ETC.
LETTUCEtry a variety called LOLLO ROSSAfor colour, leaves are frilled and tinged with red,these look good in salads.
SWEDESthese some times don’t do very well in gardens, but try a variety by( SUTTONS)called INVITATIONit has a resistance to club root and powdery mildew.
SWEET CORNcan be planted out now . this must be planted in rectangular blocks 18 inches x 18inches this will ensure effective wind pollination of the female flowers.
POTATOESplant any remaining tubers, watch out for potato blight towards the end of the month. they can be sprayed with DITHANE, but please read instructions fully before use.
CELERIACplants can be put out now, not seen for sale in many garden centres, so you will have had to have grown them from seeds, similar to a turnipwith a celery type top, has a distinct flavour of celery.
TOMATOESUNDER GLASSwhen the first truss of the tomatoes has set, feed at alternate waterings with TOMORITE or equivalent, read the instructions on container.
TRY GROWING A TALL VARIETY OF MARIGOLDS between tomatoes to deter WHITE FLY.
TOMATOES OUT DOORwhen second truss has set FEEDevery 7 to 14 days. If tomatoes are growing in grow bags FEEDonce a week.
LAWNSmow weekly but in DRY conditions avoid cutting to short, to help stop grass burning off and going brown due to the sun.
ROSESa good month for roses, but watch out for the following BLACK SPOT, RUST, AND POWDERY MILDEW AND GREEN FLYETC. if spraying the roses with MULTIROSE or equivalent please read the instructions fully before use.
SWEET PEASfor long stems and larger blooms grow singly up canes, pinching out side shoots and removing tendrils.
SUMMER BEDDING PLANTSthese can be planted out in flower beds or flower pots ,tubs, baskets, and containerscan be filled to give summer colour. Keep plants watered especially when first planted and in dry conditions. (keep watered)
ASPARAGUS continue cutting spears when they are 5 to 7 inches long above the ground. Cutting the stem 1 inch below the soil surface,taking care not to disturb any developing shoots, until the middle of JUNE. After which the foliage develops naturally.
SOFT FRUITSapply netting over ripening soft fruits to deter the birds.
WEEDSHOE and keep pulling any weeds out that start growing on the ground throughout the month.
OLD WIVES LORE
SOW SEED GENEROUSLY
ONE FOR THE ROOK
ONE FOR THE CROW
ONE TO DIE
AND ONE TO GROW
LOOK OUT FOR MORE GARDENING TIPS NEXT MONTH
April/early May
Begin to harden off young plants and overwintered cuttings
Remove insulation from the greenhouse
Prune tender climbers
Plant up summer hanging baskets and protect from frost
Plant out tomatoes
Frequent grass mowing
Fertilise roses
Continue to plant vegetables directly into growing position
Earth up potatoes
Clean and replant the garden pond
Continuous weed control
Contact - Chairman - Jill Machell 01608 686909
Hi All
Just a quick tip or two for the gardening section for you. Moss is an expensive way to line hanging baskets I have, for many years, been using dried grass clippings, normally I mow the lawn with no grassbox on once the clipping have dried I mow on a high cut which picks up the dried clippings a treat, I then line my hanging baskets with the clippings. Tip number 2 sow your carrot seeds next to or along side your spring onions this will stop carrot root fly.
Hope this helps, Mark.
FEBRUARY
Start feeding established border plants
Cover soil to warm it ready for early sowing of vegetable seeds
Prune half hardy over wintered fuchsias
Sow tomato seeds for growing in a cool greenhouse
Clear weeds and debris from the base of established hedges and shrubs
Prune shrubs which have finished winter flowering
Allotments are back in vogue thanks to Mr Browns handling of the economy, “Not now Darling.”
So again get the nose out and go and talk to the experts on the ground. See if anyone needs a hand on the allotments or if they’ll let you have a few feet to start to grow your own.
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