Rhododendrons, azalea's, and peony roses are still putting on their show as we look forward to the expectation of something new happening every day in the garden.
My roses are full of fat buds waiting to burst open, they still have no green fly or black spot attacking them as yet. Roses will have used up most food in reserve to have reached this lush stage so will need feeding often to keep them in this peek condition. Folia feeding with fish emulsion will help keep green fly away while feeding through leaves. Spray on a dull day so sun will not burn through droplets and damage new soft leaves.
Trim spent flowers from perennials and daisy bushes as they finish the first flush of flowering to keep them bushy and continuously in flower, if you let flower heads go to seed the bush or plants will become woody.
Box hedge: I will make a start on my buxus hedges this week , hopefully on an overcast morning. Take all new growth back to the the last cut on established hedges. On new plantings even up only the top growth leaving the sides to grow together. When planting a new buxus hedge 5 to 7 plants per metre for small plants.
All other hedges can be trimmed now as they have probably finished putting out spring growth.
Lawns: We have had excellent results from grass seed sown, it struck in places with in a week from sowing which encourages me to rake out every bare patch, add sifted soil and plant grass seed like there is no tomorrow!
Veg: A good no fuss way to grow veg is in a no dig garden. Making a no dig garden: Find a sunny spot on bare ground,( not concrete) surround with sleepers, logs, Oamaru stone or boards high enough to hold layers of manure, soil, compost and straw. Flood the dirt before you start to get dampness deep down but If you plan to create a no dig garden on top of grass or space that has been growing then you will need to cover the the ground with layers of saturated news paper or cardboard, overlapping to stop strong weeds pushing through.
First layer manure, (soak) this will bring the worms up, then spread a thick layer of compost, old leaf mulch and dried grass clippings, (soak.) Next add a layer of soil, (clay soil is fine in this layer), water well after each layer leaving no dry spots. Next add a layer of straw, (soak) then add more layers of compost and old leaf mulch and dried grass clippings, (soak) and top that with more soil, (soak). River sand, a little lime and an all purpose fertiliser can be added as you build the layers. Lastly add a top layer of straw to suppresses weeds, also a great deterrent to slugs. When you think the garden is high enough start planting and you should be eating your own produce with in six weeks at this time of the year.
Fruit: With the warmth experienced this spring and bee's doing their job berry fruits are romping along. Water is important while fruit is forming especially after the wind, a good soak from time to time if rain is scarce will ensure full juicy fruit. My grapes are flowering and so far there is no sign of the dreaded botrytis, I give only the vines I think could do with a boost fertiliser in early spring. Feeding established vines that are doing ok will only encourage more leaves and leaders. A little potash from time to time will help with fruiting.
I have come across another method of dealing with coddling moth which is said to have worked well for some. Use a plastic milk container, and place in it 1 banana peel, 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup sugar. Fill the container almost full of water, replace the cap and shake it well to mix and dissolve the contents. Remove the cap and firmly secure one container into each apple tree. The moths are attracted to the scent of the concoction, becoming trapped and drowned when they investigate. Refill with water as needed throughout the summer.
Cheers, Linda.
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