winds and bone chilling cold resulting in my tomato plants turning blue and potato leaves and young seedlings wanting to retreat back under the soil and all of us I am sure getting the winter gardening gear out again, Grrrrrrr.
Hosing is still top of my list, it takes ages to get around this garden and it doesn't help having Scruff the dog hanging on with clenched jaw to the end of the hose as I pull it from place to place!!
Once again I will go on about the weeds really going for it now! I can not believe how many have been pulled from our garden, mostly biddy bid, chick weed and convolvulous. Weeds need to be removed before they make seed or, you will be chasing them forever.
Potting up seedlings is a weekly task here in Spring, this week it was lupins, sun flowers, delphiniums, godetia, cosmos and marigolds It is best not to plant very small seedlings into the garden, they will probably be eaten or just die off with not having enough roots to support them. It really is worth the effort to pot them on into individual pots or punnets to establish a good root mass.
Strong growing plants like sun flowers and delphinium seeds can be planted straight into peat pots and once the pot is filled with new roots plant pot and all into the ground, the strong roots will grow out through the pot as it breaks down.
I talked about slugs and hosta's last week but forgot to mention I have 6 little Peking bantams who take care of most snails and slugs here, (another reason I don't put down slug bait). Because these little bantams have very short legs scratching is minimal compared to long legged hens.
Companion planting:
With all the planting that is going on right now it is time to think about companion planting again.
Gardeners from the past have documented successful companion planting knowledge down through the years for us to follow. Some plants give off an aroma that is disliked by unwanted insects and others are thought to enhance the growth of certain plants if planted along side them.
Nasturtiums attract caterpillars, so planting it alongside or around vegetables such as lettuces, broccoli and cabbages should mean the nasturtium will get attacked rather than your edible crop.
Fox Gloves have stimulating effects on all plants in the garden, a welcome addition to the flower and veggie garden.
Marigolds have a scent that repels aphids and attracts hoverflies, which are predator insects
Tagetes, the lovely tiny marigolds, or French marigold, are invaluable to companion planting.
Cabbage white butterfly are attracted to their host plant by smell, planting rows of Mexican tagete is effective in masking the smell and reducing cabbage moth damage. A secretion from the roots of the Mexican tagetes deter eelworms so your potatoes and tomatoes are left alone. Tagetes and calendulamarigolds planted near tomatoes and roses will reduce aphid attack as the marigolds will attract the hover-flies that are voracious eaters of these pests. Garlic, chives and parsley can be beneficial planted with Roses as aphid deterrents.
Vegetables:
Basil and tomatoes are a well-known combinations
Dill is popular with bees and attracts them into the garden. Dill planted with corn will ensure a bumper crop, as more bees will be around to pollinate the corn strings.
Sage planted around the celery crop, helps to keep the aphids away.
Hyssop is said to repel white butterfly from cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli and other brassica crops.
Carrots and leeks work well planted together, they both have strong aromas, which repel the other’s pests.
My potatoes are well up so I have been adding more soil / compost, molding them up as they grow more leaves.
The corn is up, I planted corn in punnets this year, last year most were eaten off at ground level while small, I will plant them out when stronger in roots and leaves, then plant dill along side to attract the bees.
The dreaded carrot fly is about in October when carrots are being thinned, don't leave any thinnings near the planted rows for the carrot fly to smell. Tip, plant seed sparingly to avoid thinning. I have heard scattering freshly cut, un-sprayed grass clippings along rows disguises the carrot aroma.
With all the fruit trees in blossom we need sunny days to keep the bees busy at work pollinating. Keep the water up to them and mulch with unsprayedgrass clippings right out to their drip line to keep the moisture there, they have a lot of work ahead of them producing fruit.
Lawns,
The lawns are growing well after being fed, and the first spring shower. I let them get a bit of length on then spot sprayed the clover and weeds.
Our garden is looking very pretty right now for viewing should people be interested in taking a drive out to Weston, plenty of seating so bring a picnic.
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