Was it me, or was that a quick month? Perhaps it was the Bank holidays, or maybe it was the rocket launch, the release of the pent up energies of thousands of gardeners. It certainly hasn’t been a bad month, a bit of a mish mash punctuated by one or two teasing frosts, but we have been able to get on. As we turn into June, with confidence, we can really go for it. Anything we haven’t yet planted we can now. All of the bedding can go, even those tender bits (that some cynics offered at Easter) can now be planted. I have really enjoyed the bedding season this year. It has been tough, with everything being everywhere, with smaller gardens and greater interest in permanence, but has made me look hard at what is available. I have commented before that the adventure is key to this journey and as gardeners we have been offered a playground this year. Growers generally have had access to exciting fresh material. Much is still there to buy, so if you have space or perhaps have yet to start, do shop around. There are more earthy Petunias, cheery Cosmea , stunning Nemesia, sun kissed Osteopermum, the list goes on and the adjectives do little justice. Find space and bring new life to your summer. Of course if you are ahead of all of that, well, you can always sow next seasons Wallflowers and biennials, you could even put in a packet of winter flowering pansies. Mad isn’t it? the constant advance and the preparation for the next season.

On the vegetable front, the potatoes will be well up (do keep banking them up if time permits, it does increase the yield). Runner Beans, Marrows and Tomatoes and most of their relatives can go into open ground, salads can be repeat sown and you should be harvesting you first cabbage soon. Where the greens are concerned, late vegetables can be introduced as space permits, so that means January King, late sprouting, Brussel sprouts and kale, will all settle quickly, but do be watchful, there are caterpillars and pigeons around.

Keep up together with light weeding, maintain watering and feed containers, a god season promises.

And finally, the roses are about to put on their annual display, the bushes are well budded. Last year many plants suffered with Black Spot and Mildew in the summer, so you may want to consider a precautionary spray with some suitable fungicide.
Happy Gardening.

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