What a difference gentle spring rain makes, leaving the soil warm and damp to encourage fresh spring growth. Seeds sown a couple of weeks ago are up and romping away, although, as always, the weeds are equally enthusiastic. Biddy-bid and chickweed need pulling before they set seed and spread. A late frost can still catch us out, as I discovered with several newly planted annuals, so keep frost cloth handy when cold nights are forecast.
Pot plants: For me, the gentle rain calls my pot plants outside; I imagine I can see them breathing in the reality they have been missing while growing inside.
Roses are showing their first beautiful blooms; they have used much of their stored energy to produce this new growth, so regular feeding, watering, and mulching will help keep them flowering well. Fish emulsion makes a useful foliar feed. Remove leaves showing black spot, and finger-and-thumb greenfly removal works. If you need to spray, choose a dull day.
English lavenders are starting their first flush of flowers, while the French and Italian varieties will be in need of a light trim to encourage more flowering. Give them a feed of liquid fertiliser or liquid manure. All lavenders appreciate lime and good drainage.
Peony roses are putting on a wonderful display, but their heavy flower heads need supporting. Keep water up to them while flowering. Newly planted crowns benefit from having their flowers removed for the first two years to establish strong clumps, so remove most flowers and never let them develop seed heads.
Clematis are growing rapidly now, so train new trailers while they are still soft and easy to direct. They appreciate regular feeding, with manure being particularly useful. Different varieties flower at different times, so don't worry if yours has yet to produce buds. Newly planted clematis can be allowed to flower, then cut back to encourage stronger, bushier growth.
Summer colour: As spring-flowering perennials and daisy bushes finish, trim off spent flowers to prevent plants becoming woody and encourage fresh growth. Fill gaps with summer annuals. Cosmos, love-in-a-mist, salvia, clary sage, and larkspur provide height at the back, while petunias, nemesia and marigolds fill the middle. Lobelia, alyssum and impatiens make lovely edging plants. Planting closely helps cover bare ground and reduces the space available for weeds.
Hydrangeas and fuchsias are making plenty of growth. Keep hydrangeas well watered and fed to encourage good flower heads. Lime helps maintain pink flowers, while aluminium sulphate helps retain blue. Fuchsias are wonderful in pots or shady garden positions. Cut back woody, well-established fuchsias as they flower on new growth.remember that covering bare soil with plants and mulch is one of the best ways to keep weeds under control and gardens looking their best as summer approaches.
Lawns are loving the rainy periods, which is also the best time to fertilise them. Grass clippings and soft hedge clippings make excellent spring mulch around gardens. Remember that covering bare soil with mulch or plants is one of the best ways to keep weeds under control and gardens looking their best as summer approaches.
Vegetables: Everything is growing quickly, so keep planting seeds and seedlings in small batches to provide a continuous supply rather than having everything ready at once. Mound potatoes as they grow and maintain consistent watering for root crops. Avoid overfeeding leafy vegetables, as it will encourage them to bolt. Keep pumpkins and squash mulched while their roots are establishing, and Plant corn in blocks rather than rows, allowing the closely grouped stems to support one another in strong winds while helping pollination by keeping the tassels close together. Tomatoes need staking and regular removal of side shoots. Avoid watering late in the day, keeping foliage dry overnight to reduce fungal problems.
Fruit: Berry bushes are filling out quickly, and deep watering during dry, windy spells will help produce plump fruit. Cover strawberries and gooseberries before the birds discover them! Grapevines are flowering now, but established vines generally need little extra feeding beyond an occasional boost of potash.
Cheers, Linda
