April 2013 Newsletter

We’ve had a ghastly start to the year so far, haven’t we? All of us are feeling a desperate need for sunshine, blue skies and warmth. We had a teaser at the start of March, then the bitter cold returned. Let’s hope that soon the temperatures really will rise. It’s probably a wise precaution to have some horticultural fleece handy, however, just in case. With a heat-wave forecast for next month, who knows? We might even be facing a hosepipe ban again before we know it!

Whilst we still don’t have anywhere near as much stock in as we normally would by now, there is still plenty to choose from. A few highlights are:

Summer bedding plants – Pansies, Violas and Bellis are in now, with Petunias, Geraniums, Million Bells, Lobelia and much more to come as it warms up. Plant up your window boxes this month for a whole summer of colour. Adding swellgel and slow release fertiliser to your planters will reduce the maintenance they require, so all you’ll need to do is water and occasionally dead head flowers that have gone over.
Fruit trees and soft fruit – We have a wide range that have all been grown on dwarf or semi-dwarf root stock so won’t grow too big for your urban garden. I simply wouldn’t be without a fruit tree, as nothing else quite competes when it comes to covering all the seasons.
Deciduous trees and shrubs - The freezing February and March temperatures mean that they have been held back, but they’re all ready to burst into life now, so it’s not too late to get a flowering cherry or ornamental Salix (willow). These pretty little trees will lift your spirits every year as they burst into flower.
Magnolia and Cornus Florida and Rubra - These gorgeous ornamental shrubs are finally starting to bud up.
Camellias - The stunning array we have still hold plenty of bud, so you’ll be able to enjoy their flowers in the weeks to come. Perfect for a shady spot that needs brightening up and equally happy in a pot. Remember they need ericaceous compost!
Shrubs – Ceanothus, Berberis and a good range of Pittosporum, along with many others, are finally starting to show fresh growth.
David Austin roses – These are looking good, and we have a range to cover all requirements including some lovely standards. Although they aren’t showing a lot of growth yet, they will romp off as soon as the temperatures rise, and it really is best to plant them as early in the season as possible.
Herbaceous perennials - Given half a chance these really will start to put on decent growth soon. One of our growers, (who also sells to other centres and on-line retailers) tells us that our prices are the cheapest you will find anywhere for their lovely plants. Good to know!
Italian stock- A late delivery from Tuscany is due in at the end of the month, which will include large shrubs and trees - Magnolia Grandiflora, Cercis Canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’, Philadelphus, Photinia, Cryptomeria (‘Tina Turner’ as we like to call them – look out for them and you’ll see why!) and Eriobotrya, to name but a few.
… and finally on the plants - Assuming the weather improves, we will also have in young vegetables and a range of herbs before the end of the month.

With such a delay in being able to get outside to plant, you want to ensure that when you finally do, you do all you can to get your plants off to a good start. Incorporating Rootgrow into the planting hole is one way to do this. This mycorrhizal fungi is a product endorsed by the RHS, which will help establish stronger, healthier roots more quickly. You’ll find a basket of this marvellous product at the till, and we strongly recommend you use some with every new plant you put in. Alongside a feeding regime, this will ensure you have happy, strong, vigorous healthy plants. Not only will they look better and produce more flowers/leaves/fruit, they will also be more resistant to pests and disease.

The endless cold has at least given those of you who have been slow on the uptake a bit longer to get organised for growing your own vegetables, salads and herbs. Many of the seeds that should usually have been planted by now, can still be sown, and we have all the paraphernalia needed to successfully do so.

I have found a couple of new suppliers recently, and am really pleased with the products we’ve got in from them. Check out the fabulous rusty iron plant supports made by a husband and wife team in Worcestershire. They are truly remarkable value.

We also have some sturdy rattan planters in for those who want a planter with a different look. These include low, rope edged, herb planters and some stunning tall narrow planters too.

Finally, whilst we may not have many fragrant scents wafting on warm spring breezes outside, you can at least make your inside space smell divine by burning a True Grace candle. The summer scents are back in stock again, and include Green Tea and Citrus, Apple Blossom and Meadow.

We have been asked by several customers if we would consider running a course on how to grow vegetables. Before committing to doing this we would like to know what the interest would be as we would need to have a certain number of people attending the course to make it viable. We envisage running the course over 4 or 5 weeks, on a Thursday afternoon, from 4 - 5pm. There would be a charge for each class, in the region of £10, but this would be redeemable against any purchase made. If you would be interested in attending this course, please could you indicate by clicking HERE and sending us a message. At this stage we are just testing the water to see if there would be enough uptake to make it viable.

I sincerely hope that the next time I see you I won’t still be wearing thermals, gloves, a hat and a thick coat!

Karen

Opening Hours

Monday to Saturday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Sundays and Bank Holidays: 10am – 4pm

Except

Jan: 10am – 4pm (Fri, Sat & Sun only)
Feb, Aug, Nov: 10am – 4pm (every day)

Web: www.alleynpark.co.uk
Email: info@alleynpark.co.uk
Phone: 020 8670 7788

Rear of 77 Park Hall Road
(Entrance opposite Café Rouge)
West Dulwich, London SE21 8ES

Garden jobs for April

The days are lengthening and hopefully you have been tempted into the garden, although this strange weather hasn't been conducive to spending time out there very often. At last though, buds are beginning to show colour and green leaves will soon be shooting.

2 key jobs for the month

Protect against late frosts and snow. April can bring very cold temperatures so be ready to protect tender plants and don’t put young seedlings or plug plants out while there is a risk of cold nights.

If you haven't ventured out into the garden yet, pick a warmer day to do a general spring tidy up. This will help you to see how plants have survived the extended winter and to see where there are gaps or areas which need some attention.

Vegetable growing

Growing from seed

April is normally the month to begin seed sowing outside, but only once the temperatures have begun to rise! Carrots, peas, broad beans, lettuce and spinach – there’s lots that can be sown directly into prepared drills. Always read the instructions on the seed packet. Towards the end of the month, larger seeds such as sweet corn, courgettes, squash and pumpkins, and runner beans can be sown directly outside.
It’s worth warming the soil before sowing or planting, with cloches, sheets of plastic or old carpet. Seeds will germinate more easily in a warm soil.
With tender vegetables, the smaller the seed, the earlier it needs to be sown, so start off aubergines, chilli peppers and tomatoes in April, in seed trays in a greenhouse or on a windowsill.
All tender vegetable seedlings should be hardened off before planting out, and not put outside until the risk of frost has passed.

Potatoes, onions, garlic

Second early and main crop potatoes can be planted this month. Onions, shallots and garlic are all ready to go into the ground during the spring months, ready for a bumper harvest later in the year.

Planting

Bulbs and tubers – April is normally the time to plant summer flowering bulbs. Lilies, dahlias and gladioli can be planted in containers or directly into the ground. It’s worth having a few pots of lilies, for example, ready to fill a gap in the border later on.
Spring is an ideal time to plant evergreen shrubs and hedges, and to plant herbaceous perennials, shrubs, trees, and climbers. For a reminder of best practice when planting, click here to look at our Planting Instructions on our website.

Fruit

Feed soft fruit bushes and strawberries with a general fertilizer to encourage bumper crops.
Fruit bushes and trees can still be planted, but pinch out flowers and small developing fruit in the first year, so that the plant’s energy goes into building a strong root system.

General maintenance around the garden

Tidy up beds and borders. As a minimum, get rid of weeds which take moisture and nutrients needed by your plants. Dig out perennial weeds, and hoe away young annual weeds before they have a chance to get going.
Or, as I mentioned last month, this is still a good time to apply a good layer of organic mulch such as horse manure or organic compost. This will help to retain moisture around plants, and the nutrients will gradually be pulled down to the roots.
Tie in climbing and rambling roses and other climbers with ties or wire that won’t damage the growing stems. With climbers, tie the long stems as horizontally as possible, which will encourage the plant to produce more flowers.
Place plant supports over and around tall perennials before they need them.
Deadhead daffodils when the flowers have gone over. By doing this, the plant's energy goes into the bulb to form next year’s flower, rather than into producing seeds.

Pruning

Prune late flowering deciduous shrubs such as Hydrangeas and Buddleja if you haven’t done so already – prune hard back to a leaf shoot or stem.
Prune early flowering Forsythia and Chaenomeles once they have finished flowering.

Lawns

If you haven’t had a chance to prepare the lawn yet, now is the time to do it. Spike compacted areas with an aerator, or a garden fork and apply a fertiliser or top dressing. .
Apply mosskiller if necessary and rake the dead moss out 2 weeks later
Mow the lawn with the blades set high for the first few cuts.
Sow lawn seed on bare patches, and water during dry spells.

Watering pots and containers

Check pots and containers regularly for watering requirements, but don’t be tempted to water already frozen compost.

Garden pests and diseases

Watch out for early insect attacks. Tackling problems early makes it easier to control.
Early infestation of aphids can be squashed by hand if you aren’t too squeamish. Watch out too for Lily beetle, vine weevils and other infestations, remove and dispose of any you see, and treat with an appropriate insecticide.
Look out for blackspot on rose leaves and pick them off – early removal and control may eliminate the need for fungicide treatment.

Wildlife

People are often worried about feeding the birds as they begin to have young, but as long as you use feeders, it’s fine, and fair, to keep up the feeding routine. Water is really important for birds and other wildlife in the garden, so keep the bird bath or a plant saucer topped up daily.

Finally

Spring is a lovely time of year and I’m sure we’ll be rewarded with some more seasonal weather soon – I hope so anyway!

Sally

Opening Hours

Monday to Saturday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Sundays and Bank Holidays: 10am – 4pm

Except

Jan: 10am – 4pm (Fri, Sat & Sun only)
Feb, Aug, Nov: 10am – 4pm (every day)

Web: www.alleynpark.co.uk
Email: info@alleynpark.co.uk
Phone: 020 8670 7788

Rear of 77 Park Hall Road
(Entrance opposite Café Rouge)
West Dulwich, London SE21 8ES