March, April, and early May can still bring a frost!
Don't be tempted to increase the garden centre margins by losing tender plants. Some plants need to be hardened off gradually, then they will get used to colder conditions.
Other tender plants such as marrows, tomatoes, dahlias, begonias, and a lot of other half hardy bedding will curl up their toes at the slightest bit
of frost.
You can however start off onions, garlic and shallots by planting in modular trays indoors in a cool environment until the roots come through in about a month's time. Other jobs you can do are to take cuttings of perennials such as phlox, and delphiniums, or why not try growing radishes in a strip of guttering indoors.
After the first cut on the lawn, a bit of lawn edging using a plank and a half moon cutter will make a world of difference. Feed your daffodils and tulips, and they will then make better bulbs next year. If you can get a high potash feed, so much the better. If not, any general fertiliser will help.
I tend to use compounds at this time of year, as I have problems if I use fish blood and bone - it seems to attract every badger and fox in the district and then they try to dig up my favourite bulbs. I have had an apple tree nearly dug up because I put bone meal in the planting hole.
Sue Ellis one of our committee members, is organising this year's Open Gardens event on 22 June. If you would like to volunteer your garden, or volunteer your help, she would be pleased to hear from you. Please e-mail [email protected] or telephone me on 01386 861438.
Don't forget the Spring Show on the first Wednesday in April. There are 28 different categories for you to enter to show off what you have managed to grow at the start of the gardening year, with daffodils, tulips, and other spring flowers and shrubs. Florists also can try their hand at winning a prize. And if you're in a competitive mood, why not try to scoop the jackpot with the Spring Show Challenge Cup? Download the brochure or pick one up at the village shop. But even if you can't make entry, come and admire the lovely displays we're expecting on the 2nd.
For more information about what we're up to, please see our website at wwwbishamptongardeningclub.org.uk
Cheers, Pete
Don't be tempted to increase the garden centre margins by losing tender plants. Some plants need to be hardened off gradually, then they will get used to colder conditions.
Other tender plants such as marrows, tomatoes, dahlias, begonias, and a lot of other half hardy bedding will curl up their toes at the slightest bit
of frost.
You can however start off onions, garlic and shallots by planting in modular trays indoors in a cool environment until the roots come through in about a month's time. Other jobs you can do are to take cuttings of perennials such as phlox, and delphiniums, or why not try growing radishes in a strip of guttering indoors.
After the first cut on the lawn, a bit of lawn edging using a plank and a half moon cutter will make a world of difference. Feed your daffodils and tulips, and they will then make better bulbs next year. If you can get a high potash feed, so much the better. If not, any general fertiliser will help.
I tend to use compounds at this time of year, as I have problems if I use fish blood and bone - it seems to attract every badger and fox in the district and then they try to dig up my favourite bulbs. I have had an apple tree nearly dug up because I put bone meal in the planting hole.
Sue Ellis one of our committee members, is organising this year's Open Gardens event on 22 June. If you would like to volunteer your garden, or volunteer your help, she would be pleased to hear from you. Please e-mail [email protected] or telephone me on 01386 861438.
Don't forget the Spring Show on the first Wednesday in April. There are 28 different categories for you to enter to show off what you have managed to grow at the start of the gardening year, with daffodils, tulips, and other spring flowers and shrubs. Florists also can try their hand at winning a prize. And if you're in a competitive mood, why not try to scoop the jackpot with the Spring Show Challenge Cup? Download the brochure or pick one up at the village shop. But even if you can't make entry, come and admire the lovely displays we're expecting on the 2nd.
For more information about what we're up to, please see our website at wwwbishamptongardeningclub.org.uk
Cheers, Pete