March Gardening News
What a treat those bright, full sunlit days through February. The mornings were crisp and there was a positive feel to each new day. The gardens and gardeners were buzzing with the expectation of impending Spring. It was a joy. Many of the jobs shared last month were tackled and many started sowing a few seeds. In the last days, the extension of daylight has become ever more apparent and the buds are so close to bursting. The bulbs have all enjoyed the early warmth too, with snowdrops everywhere and drifts of early daffodils joining the celebration. It is very uplifting. As we move into March we can be brave about many tasks, with the first spuds being set in the ground, onion sets and shallot planting continuing and a wide range of vegetable seed being started. Certainly it is worth getting on with the long term plantings. Many of the late vegetable have slow and extended growing seasons. Celeriac takes forever from seed and early parsnips are worth doing too. Check the packets as you go. Watch out for new introductions. This year, after a successful couple of years, you will see Sweet potato plants, Oca and Yam. None of these things are very expensive and it’s fun just to play. I grew Oca a few years ago. The plant which is a member of the oxalis family produces edible tubers. It’s very big business in the Andes where it is second in popular vegetable list, just below potatoes. The tubers are generally small, but very nutritious. The plant is a perennial and will keep. Anyway just look out for different. The depth of plant material is amazing and everyday there are new things to try. Racks are full and the time is right to play. Pots on window sills, trays in the porch or event pots against a south facing wall can be turned to be seed beds. The plants will all be of use next month. Bits of flowers can also be added to the sowing and some just thrown into the border to make their own way. This is the last call for moving established plants that are where you don’t want them. Quite big things can be relocated with minimal risk, so if you are on for a makeover do it now. And finally, this year I am going to be having a go with an agricultural pest management product range called Grazers. It looks very promising and very friendly. I will let you know. Happy Gardening. Chris Evans www.dundrynurseries.co.uk www.thebutterflygarden.org
December Gardening News
The doors close on the autumn, slammed at the finish by fierce winds and torrential storms that swept in from nowhere and were gone in an instant. There were gentle moments too, when warm yet watery sunlight stroked the land and persuaded the lawn to keep growing. Growth has stayed lush this year and in spite of the ferocious heat of mid-summer has turned out fairly well. The potato crop is a bit light, but most other crops have done reasonably and anyone who tried sweet potatoes this year will be smiling. After several years of feeling that I had wasted money, this year there was a harvestable crop. So once more we move into the reflective days, when we can take stock and ponder over next years plan. Racks fill with seed, potato lists are out and new varieties tease. There is much promise in the winter garden and as you travel around take note of how evergreen foliage and winter flowering plants have their say. The space can be totally rejuvenated, when plants hidden by summers bounteous show are given the stage. In my own garden I have Viburnums (both Tinus which is an evergeen flowering variety and Bodnantense ‘Dawn’ , flowering on naked wood) as well as winter honeysuckle (Lonicera Purpusii) and the fabulous Mahonia Charity with it’s scented golden spires. These plants complimented by the strong evergreen foliage of Eleagnus ( I have two ) the stand out bark of the Cornus and the lobed glossy leaf of Choisya all bring new life to our view. Then of course there is the Holly, I have Golden King, a smooth edged golden form that is robust, bold and very manageable. If you find yourself looking check out these families (there are dozens of different forms). If your garden is in need of a wake up, treat yourself. At a more practical level, the tidying continues, make any adjustments you may wish to make to combat rodents, secure doors and structures and should you have a working greenhouse, then consider the possible need to insulate or heat. Light pruning can continue in the borders and check supports and firm planting s with the boot. Cast an eye over any green stuffs too, consider netting as there is something very frustrating about loosing your sprouts to pigeons a week before Christmas. And finally…………Have a good Christmas. Happy Gardening. Chris Evans www.dundrynurseries.co.uk www.thebutterflygarden.org
April Gardening News
Hooray, the clocks have changed and we can garden in the evening (if it stops raining). It’s actually good to see the back of March, what a month that was. The snow was totally disarming and the cold nights have been a test. Of course the thaw and the heavy rain has made the ground very difficult too, many of last months tasks are still to do. Nature knows how to catch up and hopefully things will improve now. So in theory its all systems go, with all of the spuds going in and seed sowing proceeding at a pace. I am always amazed by the speed with which seedlings grow once the light returns, with two leaves becoming four in no time. If you are thinking of sowing Runner Beans, Marrows or Cucumbers give them until the third week, but almost everything else can be sown as soon as you like. Remember these highlighted subjects are frost sensitive, so if you are considering buying plants then hold on until May. Tomato plants are equally vulnerable unless planted under cover. We can also start work on the flowers, with hardy annuals and perennials, as well as bulbs all wanting to get going. Snapdragons, Dianthus, Carnations as well as violas and pansies are all about as are delphiniums, lupins and hollyhocks. Keep an eye open too for Rhodanthemums. This stunning plant has risen to popularity in the last two years and is quite a special plant. It is tough, with grey cut foliage and single chrysanth like flowers. Find it and you will not regret it. If you want to run in some seed then try broadcasting (that’s waving your arms randomly) Godetia, Nigella, Larkspur, Candytuft and Cornflower all of which will grow where ever you throw them, bringing drifts of gentle colour to summer borders. If you are still looking for jobs and have space then visit summer bulbs and once again all subjects can go into the ground now. And finally, in recent years various growers have promoted Sweet Potatoes as capable of delivering a viable crop in a single season in the UK . Gardening Which said not and I have tried and failed. This year I will try again. There are new varieties around and plants are likely to be available from many centres in a few weeks. The reports suggest something has improved. Happy Gardening. Chris Evans www.dundrynurseries.co.uk www.thebutterflygarden.org