Oh, my goodness what a month that was? I have some fluffy recollection of days not long passed when we moaned about the lack of rain. Certainly, we have made up for the shortfall and there is cause for celebration when the land doesn’t squelch. Bizarrely, for all that, the temperatures have stayed up and the timing of growth has been very topsy turvey. So many plants are three weeks ahead of last years flowering dates. I just hope the frost stays away now; the Magnolias are all poised to be spectacular (and I am about to buy a new one called ‘Black Tulip’).

Anyway, like or not, we do need to bash on. There is plenty of seed we can be sowing now, both vegetables and flowers and if you have managed any early plants, then some can go into the ground, providing you’ve hardened them off. We have brassicas, lettuce, peas and broad bean plants all fit to go in and if yours are not ready, then you can still sow. As the daylight extends and the temperature lifts a little they will catch up.

Get the potatoes in too, in my opinion if the weather is amenable, you can put them all in on the same day. The key issue with Earlies, second earlies and Main crop varieties is that they grow at different speeds, with Main crop not really being fit for lifting until mid-September or even later, whilst some earlies will be ready within twelve weeks. Just play.

On the flower front, again you can be doing some sheltered sowing of things like marigolds, nemesia and on a warm shelf even some Busy Lizzies. Some hardier plants will grow without heat and certain subjects can be broadcast straight into borders in drifts. Mixed scattering of seed can create a real cottage garden effect and last year I had some great success with calendula and eschscholzia. These two subjects are quite old fashioned, but are a delight and do go on across the summer. Some of mine have even made it through the winter.

If you fancy summer bulbs then they too can be set out and most garden centres will have a good range. If you want something different check out Tigridia. A carnival of colour once popular with Victorians.

And finally, the lawn screams for your attention, as the mood takes continue to prod the ground with a fork.

Happy Gardening

Chris Evans
www.dundrynurseries.co.uk
www.thebutterflygarden.org