March 2015 Newsletter

As I write this it is bitterly cold, but it's one of those sparklingly bright winter's days that lift the heart. There are obvious signs of spring all around – snowdrops and narcissi cheering up our gardens and green spaces, and fat buds on many trees and shrubs. I've noticed the first signs of new growth from the ground on some of my herbaceous perennials, so quickly scattered some bait all around my beds and borders the other day to ensure that the first juicy new growth isn't immediately munched away by the dreaded slugs and snails! It really pays dividends to take action early in this way.

While I was out waging war on the slugs, I noticed that weeds were already making an appearance, so quickly grabbed my hoe and tackled them too, before they had a chance to take hold. In fact, it's well worth getting out and having a good look at what might need doing before spring kicks in …. raking, hoeing, tying in climbers, fixing broken trellis, generally clearing and then mulching now will ensure your garden is neat and tidy before the flamboyance of the coming months.

Here, the centre is filling up nicely after the leaner, emptier months. Fruit trees and the first of the soft fruit bushes are in, as is the first tranche of David Austin roses.

Our display of Camellias is looking wonderful, all sporting full fat buds. This is a brilliant shrub if you have a darkish spot that needs a lift, but do remember to use ericaceous compost in the planting hole.

From our Italian growers we've received some lovely flowering cherries, which will burst into a fanfare of blossom to herald in spring once the temperature rises.

We're really proud to support several fantastic small UK growers, and three of them – one in Kent and two in Sussex – provide us with the bulk of our herbs and herbaceous perennials. Their stock is starting to trickle in and over the coming month the range available will increase dramatically.

It's still a little early for ready-grown vegetable plants (though if it warms up, we should start getting them in towards the end of the month), but we have extended the Sarah Raven seed range this year to include some of her vegetable and salad collections. You loved the range of her flower seeds we had last year, so we've extended that too!

If you haven't grown from seed before, why not give it a go this year? In the section that follows, Sally has some useful information on what to do, and in the shop we have all you need to ensure success, from propagators to plant labels to seed compost.

As you know, we started selling house plants on a larger scale last year. Doing so was a roaring success, so we'll extend the range we carry this year. They are housed in the vintage shed, and at times make it look like a jungle!

There's a broader range of homeware items on sale in the shop and vintage shed, including recycled glass vases (which are charmingly wonky), wooden candle sticks, hand painted door and drawer knobs, spice racks, and more besides. Oh, and I've also got in a small selection of items from local designer, Anna Appleton, whose handmade recycled wool wrist warmers (like fingerless gloves, but nicer) and lavender filled hearts are fab.

I'll pass over to Sally now, but I hope that this finds you as eager to get out and start work on your garden as I am. The team and I look forward to welcoming you back at the garden centre very soon.

Warmest regards

Karen

PS In case this cold snap continues, we have fleece to protect your plants, and firewood to warm your cockles!

Garden jobs for
March 2015

Spring is almost here. If you take time to look, you will see buds appearing and swelling on trees and shrubs, and new growth ready to burst from the borders. Tulip and narcissi bulbs are coming up in the pots on my balcony, blooms on the camellia, and I'll soon be sorting out my herb collection. Here are some jobs to get the season off to a good start.

Two top jobs for this March

1. Seeds: get started with your seed growing. There is such a fabulous range of flowers, herbs and vegetables which can be grown quite cheaply from seed. Try a few new ones as well as the old tried and tested varieties.

2. Mulch! A layer of mulch will make the garden look tidy, will save on weeding later in the year, and will help moisture retention. Good mulch such as well rotted horse manure will gradually be worked down into the soil and improve the soil structure, resulting in better plants if you get into this habit every year. Two things to note - weed before you put the mulch down and make sure that the soil is warm and moist.

1. Growing vegetables, herbs and flowers from seed

Most seeds are easy to germinate if they have the right combination of water, air, light/dark and warmth. Use good quality seeds, clean equipment and specialised seed compost. Always read the notes on the seed pack to understand what's needed, but here are some general points:

• To sow seed indoors, use a propagator, heated if necessary, or a seed tray with a cover. Use seed compost, which is low in nutrients and a fine consistency. You may find it easier to sow directly into modules, especially for plants which don't like having their roots disturbed. Use a tamper to level the compost in the tray.
• Always label trays and pots of seedlings - get the labels ready before you start, especially if sowing more than one type, to avoid muddling them up!
• When seedlings have their second pair of leaves, prick them out into new trays (this means carefully lifting them, to avoid root disturbance, and also discarding those seedlings that look weak or misshapen).
• As they grow on and develop into stronger plants, replant them into larger pots filled with potting compost.
• Harden off indoor raised seedlings before planting outside, to prepare them for lower temperatures and air movement. This is done either in a cold frame, or by moving them outside during the day and back in at night.
• A lot of seeds can be sown directly outside into the ground in March and April. Check the packs. As a general rule, rake the patch of ground, remove large stones and weeds. Then follow the instructions to scatter the seeds in a broadcast fashion, or space them out in rows. Cover and water as directed.
• Some herbs and vegetables can be grown in succession, to prolong the harvesting season. Spinach, salad crops, and coriander can be sown several times, 2 or 3 weeks apart. Leave enough space to do this.

2. General maintenance

• Make sure you have your essential range of tools for the season ahead.
• Deadhead daffodils and other spring bulbs as the flowers fade, but let the leaves die down as this is important for flower production next year. Drench the leaves with a foliar feed to bulk up the bulb ready for next year.
• Deadhead pansies and violas regularly and the show may well continue through spring into early summer.
• Indoor forced bulbs such as hyacinth and narcissi can be planted out into the garden.
• Get your hoe out on any early weeds, as they will take hold rapidly if not dealt with swiftly.
• Cut back ornamental grasses and other perennials left for winter interest to make room for new growth.
• Cut old leaves off hellebores to expose the flowers and eliminate disease such as leaf spot.
• Feed and mulch fruit trees and shrubs.
• Dig in horse manure or good compost to beds prior to planting, and as a top dressing.
• Improve drainage in heavy soils by digging in organic matter.
• As herbaceous perennials start to emerge, protect them from slugs and snails, and get plant supports in place before plants start reaching for the sky.
• Clear your pond of accumulated muck at the bottom in readiness for the frog fiesta!
• Top dress pots and containers with fresh compost, and finish off with a mulch of fine horticultural grit to help deter slugs and snails.

3. Planting

• Have a look at our Planting Instructions for general guidance.
• Containerised trees can be planted at any time of year, as long as they are cared for, but putting them in when they are dormant is preferable. Support newly planted trees with a tree stake.
• Fruit trees and bushes will provide lots of tasty puddings, jams, snacks - raspberries, blackberries, black currants, gooseberries and blueberries (need ericaceous compost) can all be planted now, a lot of them in containers if you don't have a patch in the garden. Fruit trees should have any flowers pinched out in the first year to encourage a good root system.
• Shrubs, climbers, roses, herbaceous perennials - March is a good time to plant many things.
• Note when planting potted roses that you may lose a lot of compost because the roots haven't filled the pot out yet. Don't worry, as you can just use the loose compost in the planting hole.
• If ground is waterlogged, hold off planting new plants until it's dried out a bit. Keeping them in their pots for a while is fine.

4. Pruning

• Roses: Early spring is the right time to prune shrub and patio roses, before the leaves appear. The aim is to create a strong open framework which allows good airflow and helps prevent fungal disease. First, remove any dead or diseased stems, and then cut some of the oldest stems right down to the ground. The remaining stems should be cut down by between a quarter and half, with a view to achieving a well-balanced shape when the plant grows again. Always make a slanting cut just above an outward-facing bud, sloping away from the bud. After pruning, water well; apply a granular rose fertiliser and a layer of mulch. The mulch will replace nutrients and help prevent the recurrence of blackspot.
• Shrubs grown for the colour of young stems (such as Cornus, Salix (willow) and some Eucalyptus) should be cut back hard to allow stems to grow for next winter's display.
• Winter flowering shrubs like Hamamelis can be cut back once the flowers have faded.
• Summer flowering shrubs that flower on the new wood later in the year such as Buddlleja can be cut right back. Keep the woody prunings to use as plant supports around the garden.
• Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars can be pruned back to the first set of strong buds below last years faded flowers. Also remove a few of the oldest stems at the base.

After pruning always apply a granular fertiliser or mulch around the base of the plant.

5. Lawns

• March is a good month to lay new turf.
• Get your lawnmower serviced before the grass starts going quickly and the servicing agents get too busy.
• Typically, grass will begin growing this month. Set the blades at a high level for the first few cuts and ensure you dispose of all clippings so that air, rain and fertiliser can penetrate the newly cut turf.
• Repair any bare patches and tidy the edges to get off to a good start.
• Apply a layer of lawn dressing or a spring fertiliser to nourish and rejuvenate your lawn.

6. Protect against frost

We may have cold, frosty nights through March and April, so protect young plants if low temperatures are forecast. Cloches, fleece, or cut down plastic bottles can provide cover. Cloches can also be used to warm up patches of soil ready for outdoor sowing. If possible, protect fruit blossom with fleece if frost threatens. Tender herbs can be kept inside on a windowsill in the sun, and placed or planted outside when the temperatures are kinder.

7. Pests and disease

• Young plant growth is vulnerable to slug and snail damage. Protect with slug pellets or bait, a line of coarse sand, copper rings or tape, or slug traps baited with beer. Early action pays dividends. A mulch of bark around precious plants may help to deter slugs and snails.
• Keep an eye out for aphid attacks. Broad beans, which are one of the earlier crops to sow, are particularly susceptible to black fly. There aren't many aphid predators such as ladybirds around in early spring, so treat with an appropriate spray insecticide, checking the label for food safety.
• You still have (just!)  time to  spray peaches, nectarines etc to avoid unsightly peach leaf curl.

8. Wildlife

Birds are still in need of food and water. Keep the feeders full and a fresh supply of water, in view of the house so that you can enjoy them. Birds will start looking for nest sites - be aware of them when pruning hedges and shrubs.

Let's hope we have some bright spring days in the month ahead. Happy gardening!

Sally