Here we are three months into the ‘Odyssey of Covid’ an epic journey for us all. It has been both testing and at times joyously uplifting. People have talked to one another and there have been huge acts of kindness and of generosity. In parallel, there has been bubbling frustration and confusion, all presided over by nature as it just gets on.

There has been a burgeoning commitment to gardening through the difficulties with people joining the adventure and trying their hand at all sorts. I am, as you will be aware, the promoter of the adventure and many have joined. So, what next? Well, I have been sowing seeds again, the summer vegetables are all looking good, but keep an eye for pigeons and the arrival of the marauding Cabbage White caterpillars. Each evening two wood pigeons drop in to see that my greens are covered over and the first butterflies are about. Both pests are very aggressive and will tuck into good green veg at the first opportunity. Look out for yellow cylindrical egg clusters on the underside of leaves and just smudge them with your thumb.

With the crop protected look at the what next opportunities. This is a good month for quite a number of sowings. You can put in some late carrots and beetroot for autumn harvest and all basic salad can still be sown. Try Corn salad for over winter use and Chard and Perpetual Spinach will also take now. These two leaves are invaluable as a cut and come again winter veg. You can also be looking at Spring Cabbage seed too. On the flower front you may want to consider wallflowers and biennials like Sweet William (and a raft of other flowering items, just check the packet for the word biennial, you will be surprised by how many there are). The weeks have raced and the other thing to try if you can bare it is seed for winter pansies. Two months and we will be planting them. If nothing else keep up the general maintenance, feeding and watering in particular to ensure that you make the most of your spring labours. A bit of care and the garden will hold up to the autumn frost.

And finally, Seed potatoes for Christmas are available this month. It’s a bit fun and a couple dropped into a pot will probably give you a few new spuds for the festive table.

Happy Gardening.

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