Watering is what is needed now to keep the spring growth happening after that really strong wind we had on Monday night.
This would have to be the best lambing season I can remember, but it can rain any time NOW.
This week I have been looking around and enjoying the cheery blossom, it's a good time to choose prunus trees if putting in a new garden. The blossom is only on the tree for a short time so it should not be the only reason for choice.
Full grown size, height and spread should come first. Some prunus grow very large and spread wide and low.
Fortunately to day we have choice thanks to the grafting done by the growers. We can purchase trees on a short or a taller graft to suit a situation.
A 1.8 mtr. trunk before branching will allow clearance along a drive or walk way right from planting.
Large spreading trees have large spreading roots! keep this in mind when planting near concrete and the house.
Also the leaf and blossom drop should be taken into consideration, thick blossom on paved walking areas is a real problem, it sticks to feet and is tracked inside, plus it can become very slippery to walk on. The leaf drop near pathways and roof guttering is a pain as well, but a spreading tree over grass walk ways is lovely and everything dropped can be taken up with the lawn mower.
There are so many things to consider when planting trees close to the house, but if you are like me and like the house and garden to be one then you will need to ask the right people about the right trees because there is a tree for every spot, to create the over grown look without the problems.
It really is the time for planting now to beat the weeds, I have been busy with the hoe moving the small weeds around before they get a really good hold, you will only have to blink from now on and they will be up around the ankles!
Either sow seeds directly into the ground or into trays of seed mix, they will be up in no time if keept well watered. Pricking out is done at the second lot of leaf stage, then plant on into containers like punnets to form strong roots before planting out, and as I said last week be sure to harden off newly bought bedding plans to the out side conditions before planting them out.
Lavenders are starting to make new growth right now, they like a dressing of lime and some liquid or slow release fertiliser to help them along. If they look a bit scruffy you can trim them now and they will soon grow back and bud up.
If a lavender is looking really woody and the new growth is on the yellow side and just at the very top of the bush, dig it out and put in another one, they do not go on for ever.
I have trimmed back the bougainvillea this week in readiness for it's new growth, I will flood and feed it at the beginning next month to simulate the rainy season of it's origins, then leave it alone after that. If you feed and water them through summer they will produce more leaf than flowers, they need to be stressed to flower their best.
Don't be tempted to transplant hellebore seedlings just yet, I know there are heaps growing around existing plants but they will only flop if you dig them out now, wait until the new leaves harden up.
It's a good time to put in stakes for delphiniums and peony roses now before they shoot up anymore, put the support in before they need it.
Vegetable garden:
If you have not pruned back black current bushes there is still time to do it as they are just coming into leaf. My bushes are newish so I will take a few branches back hard and leave a few longer, then mulch with compost and rotted hay.
Keep planting your veg before the end of September they should be ready for Christmas dinner. There are lot's of different potatoes to choose from now and most have written on the bag what they are best used for, chipping, mashing or roasting. I grow Rockets for early and the good old
The most important thing at this time of the year is to enjoy Spring and all it is offering.
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