The cold weather and snow finally came to most of our gardens. But that didn’t stop the blooming of one of the earliest and most welcome of spring flowers - the snowdrop. As these flowers fade the clumps can be now lifted and divided to produce an even better show next year.
The plans made in the cold winter months can now be implemented for now is a good time to plant herbaceous perennials, evergreen shrubs, trees and hedging. Hardy cyclamen, can be planted too and they are so useful because they like cool shady places and will grow well under beech and oak trees. Where there are gaps in the beds, herbaceous perennials- Geum, Geraniums, Persicaria and Phlox- can be lifted and divided. Cuttings can be taken from Dahlias and outdoor Chrysanthemums. Gladioli can be planted and Begonia and Gloxinia tubers can be started. Turf can now be laid on prepared lawn areas.
Time is running out to finish your winter pruning, but this is a good time to prune Clematis and Hydranga, cutting off last years flower heads. Cornus and Salix will benefit from coppicing to stimulate the new growth, which will provide the colourful stems for next winter. March is the best month in my mind to prune the roses. I remember being told to get your worst friend to prune your roses! Certainly hard pruning of tea roses will produce strong shoots and blooms, but floribunda roses should be pruned more lightly, and for climbing roses the side branches should be pruned to two buds from the main stem.
As the days lengthen and temperatures rise plants are soon to burst into growth. Anticipate their requirements and feed the lawns, the raspberries, loganberries, blackberries and strawberries. The sap will be rising in the fruit trees so now is the time to top graft and rejuvenate old trees. It is great fun grafting different varieties and we have some delicious blue plums, which I grafted on to some wild plums, that are abundant in our garden. There is still time to plant fruit trees but remember to prepare the ground well, and make sure that the young tree’s roots do not dry out. Established apple and pear trees should be mulched and then sprayed against scab.
The sowing of vegetables can now begin in earnest. But the ground must be well prepared and ready. Wait until the weather allows and the soil conditions are right then seize the opportunity. Onion sets can go in quite early, then seed of onions, parsnips, broad beans, leeks, cabbage and carrots. Early potatoes can be sown, but they will need protection if there are late frosts and tomatoes can be sown indoors. Jerusalem artichokes can go in now – they are easy to grow and are very useful in the kitchen - but have to be watched as they can be invasive. Hardy annuals too- like nasturtiums and sweet peas- can also be sown.
Remember as growth begins there are predators around. Protect young shoots from slugs and snails and any brassicas left uncovered will provide tasty breakfasts for hungry pigeons! Most importantly relish the awakening of spring in our gardens! It is truly a wonderful time of year. Finally as the sun gets stronger remember to open the greenhouse ventilators on those sunny days- but also remember to close them at night!
