June Gardening News
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
April Gardening News
So, the bleakness rolled on with an occasional punctuation of teasing sunshine that suggested momentarily that Spring was coming. The races passed almost unscarred with rain at the last, but there was spite in the wind and today it has moved once more to the east. The clocks have changed though and we have more light space. There is much to do and we must proceed with optimism. The seed potatoes can all go in now, no worth in staggering the planting, they will set their own pace (chatted or not). All of the hardy vegetables can be set out (though still not Runner Beans or Marrows, nor any other cucurbit). Salad stuff will also stand out and successions of salad roots can be sown. Sprinkle Radish, beetroot and spring onion between rows of heavier veg, they are not demanding and will all harvest ahead of their bigger neighbours. Tomatoes can be played with. They will be best undercover, but if you are feeling brave try something tough and old fashioned against a fence or wall. We used to put out a variety called ‘First in the Field’ which grew like a weed everywhere and which we always started early. Red Alert is also worth a try (it is always a gamble, but not high risk). Whilst you don’t want to be putting Runner Beans out, you can get the seed started and you can prepare the site for planting. Taking a trench out and back filling with well rotted manure or garden compost is worth the trouble, especially if as last year the season is dry. Organic matter retains moisture and will reduce the early dropping of flowers. On the preparation front, consider the protection of leeks and carrots either by getting organised with a mesh cover or by planting like the salad bits between taller veg. Both of these plants have suffered maggot attack in recent years so diverting or discouraging the fly will help. It’s also coming up to flower time too. I have just finished planting some new roses and have set out a few hardy bedding plants in the border. Things like Antirrhinums are very hardy and will benefit from an extended growing season. And finally. The first bedding heralds the changing season and prompts me to pull out my hanging basket for replanting. This is a job that can be tackled early even without constant protection. You just need to watch night temperatures and keep the frost off. If there is a sudden dip bring the thing into the kitchen overnight. Happy Gardening. Chris Evans www.dundrynurseries.co.uk www.thebutterflygarden.org