 |
| New rose growth |
Back to some very bleak days after experiencing the odd lovely spring day to fool us into thinking winter is behind us, what a difference a day makes when it comes to the garden and Gardeners!
Roses may need attention now:
Things to watch out for are die back after Winter, not all branches make the grade, if they have been affected cut them right back to new growth. Watch for growth below the graft, it comes up from the root stock, usually a different colour and leaf to the grafted branches. All roses are grafted onto strong disease resistant root stock of an insipid flowering rose. Cut it right out because it is stronger and will leave the grafted branches behind.
Once leaves are fully out and have hardened spraying can begin to keep your bushes healthy, use what works well for you every 10 to 14 days if you are new to roses good old shield or guild will do the job, they combated both insects and disease.
I prefer maintaining mine organically by keeping them well fed and if needed spraying with fish emulsion and pyrethrum spray plus a natures way fungicide. Fish emulsion feeds the plants and fools the insects into thinking that the foliage is protein but it is not systemic so needs to be applied often.
Still too chilly to uncover seedling being nursed but I am pricking out from seed trays into rot trainers on warm days then returning them to protection.
If you were given a cyclamen in flower over winter it is now time to plant it outside in a cool shady spot to finish the growing year. Pot up just before next Winter to bring back inside to flower, they will continue to do this for many years.
My perennial tall phlox and many other perennials are pushing up through pea straw now, I will start early this year with a copper spray well down into the root area in the hope the mildew problem can be solved. Tall phlox need to be grown in full sun to get the best result and the heady fragrance they waft through the garden in late afternoon is worth growing them mildew and all.
Lawns:
Grass is on the move again, always uneven and tufty until after the first mow. Have some lawn fertiliser on hand for the next rainy day to give a spring boost. Once the ground warms a little lawn seed can be sown in areas affected by grass grub and moss. I have been sowing grass seed in the areas of lawn that have been effected by grass grub. Cover small areas with weighted down frost cloth or shade cloth to keep birds off, this still allows light and moisture through and I leave it on until seed has germinated.
Sulphate of iron is great for getting rid of moss in lawns, buy a small bag from a garden centre, quantities for a watering can will be on the bag, once watered on effected areas leave until moss turns black then rake out.
Veg:
The nights have been still too cold for new young seedlings and plants without night protection.
Get seed potatoes and peas in now and they should make good growth and be ready for Christmas and all herbs can go in now apart from basil (still too cold)
Always harden new flower and veg plants before planting out, leave them outside in a sheltered lightly shaded spot for 2 or 3 days to get them used to your outside temperature, never plant them out in the heat of the day, they will only wilt and then take a while to recover.
Fruit:
Apricot and peach trees will be in blossom waiting for bee's, we need a few warm days in a row now.
Raspberry canes need attention while still manageable, Summer bearers produce berries on two year old canes while one year old canes grow right beside them. Older canes are brown and the new are green. In autumn older canes that finished a fruitful year should have been taken out and about 6 strong green canes left, remove all canes growing sideways. Tying new canes into hoops keeps them neat and easy to pick, left alone all summer rows will become thickets. To get best fruiting results raspberry canes need to be mulched right through the summer to retain needed moisture.
Rhubarb is on the move as well now, it will be looking for some good manure enriched compost.
Remember to check out the new Garden Corner at our Resource recovery Park which opened on the 7th Sept with lots of plant bargains. Donations of surplus garden plants from the public are really appreciated to keep our Volunteers busy potting up to sell. I will be explaining about this venture and garden related topics, including growing and landscape design at Paper plus on Thursday September 26th at 7pm, all interested welcome.
Cheers, Linda.
Roses may need attention now:
Things to watch out for are die back after Winter, not all branches make the grade, if they have been affected cut them right back to new growth. Watch for growth below the graft, it comes up from the root stock, usually a different colour and leaf to the grafted branches. All roses are grafted onto strong disease resistant root stock of an insipid flowering rose. Cut it right out because it is stronger and will leave the grafted branches behind.
Once leaves are fully out and have hardened spraying can begin to keep your bushes healthy, use what works well for you every 10 to 14 days if you are new to roses good old shield or guild will do the job, they combated both insects and disease.
I prefer maintaining mine organically by keeping them well fed and if needed spraying with fish emulsion and pyrethrum spray plus a natures way fungicide. Fish emulsion feeds the plants and fools the insects into thinking that the foliage is protein but it is not systemic so needs to be applied often.
Still too chilly to uncover seedling being nursed but I am pricking out from seed trays into rot trainers on warm days then returning them to protection.
If you were given a cyclamen in flower over winter it is now time to plant it outside in a cool shady spot to finish the growing year. Pot up just before next Winter to bring back inside to flower, they will continue to do this for many years.
My perennial tall phlox and many other perennials are pushing up through pea straw now, I will start early this year with a copper spray well down into the root area in the hope the mildew problem can be solved. Tall phlox need to be grown in full sun to get the best result and the heady fragrance they waft through the garden in late afternoon is worth growing them mildew and all.
Lawns:
Grass is on the move again, always uneven and tufty until after the first mow. Have some lawn fertiliser on hand for the next rainy day to give a spring boost. Once the ground warms a little lawn seed can be sown in areas affected by grass grub and moss. I have been sowing grass seed in the areas of lawn that have been effected by grass grub. Cover small areas with weighted down frost cloth or shade cloth to keep birds off, this still allows light and moisture through and I leave it on until seed has germinated.
Sulphate of iron is great for getting rid of moss in lawns, buy a small bag from a garden centre, quantities for a watering can will be on the bag, once watered on effected areas leave until moss turns black then rake out.
Veg:
The nights have been still too cold for new young seedlings and plants without night protection.
Get seed potatoes and peas in now and they should make good growth and be ready for Christmas and all herbs can go in now apart from basil (still too cold)
Always harden new flower and veg plants before planting out, leave them outside in a sheltered lightly shaded spot for 2 or 3 days to get them used to your outside temperature, never plant them out in the heat of the day, they will only wilt and then take a while to recover.
Fruit:
Apricot and peach trees will be in blossom waiting for bee's, we need a few warm days in a row now.
Raspberry canes need attention while still manageable, Summer bearers produce berries on two year old canes while one year old canes grow right beside them. Older canes are brown and the new are green. In autumn older canes that finished a fruitful year should have been taken out and about 6 strong green canes left, remove all canes growing sideways. Tying new canes into hoops keeps them neat and easy to pick, left alone all summer rows will become thickets. To get best fruiting results raspberry canes need to be mulched right through the summer to retain needed moisture.
Rhubarb is on the move as well now, it will be looking for some good manure enriched compost.
Remember to check out the new Garden Corner at our Resource recovery Park which opened on the 7th Sept with lots of plant bargains. Donations of surplus garden plants from the public are really appreciated to keep our Volunteers busy potting up to sell. I will be explaining about this venture and garden related topics, including growing and landscape design at Paper plus on Thursday September 26th at 7pm, all interested welcome.
Cheers, Linda.
 |
| Continue protecting seedlings. |
No comments:
Post a Comment