April 2015 Newsletter

I simply cannot believe how cold it still is as I write this! The central heating is still needed most evenings, and I haven’t even considered taking the winter weight duvet off my bed yet! What’s going on? After that balmy teaser at the start of March, I was convinced we’d have another fabulous start to the year …. but it seems not so. Let’s hope that soon the temperatures really will rise again (but until they do it’s probably a wise precaution to have some horticultural fleece handy).

Spring, however, is definitely in evidence, as you’ll see in the wealth of plant stock we have at the centre, including:

• Fruit trees and soft fruit – We have a wide range of fruit trees that have all been grown on dwarf or semi-dwarf root stock so won’t grow too big for your urban garden. But if you don’t have room for a tree, what about some soft fruit? Blueberries, gooseberries, red- and black-currants, figs, raspberries …. doesn’t the very thought make you salivate?!

(A short aside …. I simply wouldn’t be without a fruit tree, as nothing else compares when it comes to covering all the seasons. Mine’s an apple, and I can’t decide at which point in the year I love it most: when the buds are so fat and full you can almost hear them straining to burst; or at the point when they have done so and the tree becomes a ludicrously glorious confection of pale pink confetti? Then again, what about when the tree is so heavily laden with red glossy fruit that the branches sag under their weight, and the dense canopy creates an almost cave-like shelter? Last but not least, in the darker months, when the naked stems stand out starkly defiant against the winter skies, or heave under the weight of snow. At each phase of the year, my apple tree is a reminder of good things to come, and I love it.)

• Ornamental trees – we’ve just taken delivery of our spring load of ornamental trees from our lovely UK grower, Redleaf Nurseries. Amelanchier, Malus, Cercis Canadensis, Gleditzia, Salix and Sorbus, to name but a few, are now in stock and will be snapped up quickly, I’m sure, as they are looking fabulous. It’s not too late to come and grab a flowering cherry, either – surely one of the best heralders of spring?!
• Magnolias - These gorgeous ornamental specimens are also looking wonderful. The stellata varieties are in full flower, with the soulangeanas not far behind them. I’m sure that you, like me, stop dead in your tracks as you spot some of the amazing mature local specimens. They clearly like the conditions we can offer them here, which is always a good sign when deciding if a plant is right for your garden … getting something that is evidently very happy in the local environment is a bit of a no-brainer.
• Camellias – These 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 or the ground, as long as you just remember that they need ericaceous compost.
• Shrubs – The Ceanothus and Pittosporum are looking particularly good right now, along with many others, including Choisya, Euonymus and Viburnum. Come and see our ‘gold’ and ‘silver’ shrub tables for a bit of inspiration.
• David Austin roses – We have climbers and ramblers as well as shrub roses in stock, and all are looking good, with a range to cover all requirements. 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. Valerie very helpfully labels those that will tolerate some shade, so if you want one to grow in a shadier spot, look out for those markers.
• Herbaceous perennials - Given half a chance these really will start to put on decent growth soon. We’ve got a trolley near the gate with little 9cm pots of herbaceous stock for the first time this year, and they are proving very popular. At just £1.95 a pot they are excellent value, and mean you can plant in bulk to create a drift of plants without a large outlay. Talking of which, one of our growers (who sells to several centres and on-line retailers) tells us that our prices are the cheapest you will find anywhere for their lovely plants in 2ltr pots. Good to know, especially as we sell only high quality plants, rather than mass-produced, hot-housed ‘buy and die’ stock that you see in so many outlets. A customer the other day said to me ‘I looked round my garden the other day, and realised that the only plants that were really thriving were all bought from here!’ Music to my ears ….
• Italian stock – As always, we have a strong range of larger shrubs and trees grown in the Med. Olives, Magnolia grandiflora, Nandina and more are in and looking lovely. If you need a chunky item to fill that gap, go Italian!
• Young vegetable plug plants and a range of 9cm potted herbs have just made their first appearance at the centre. These UK grown plants have been kept in cold glass houses, so will need a bit of protection if planted out, but if you just can’t wait to get started on growing your edibles, then come along and get them now.
• Summer bedding plants – Pansies, Violas, Lobelia and Bellis are in now, with Petunias, Geraniums, Million Bells and much more to come as it warms up. Plant up your window boxes this month for a whole summer of colour. Adding water retaining crystals 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.

The slow start to the growing season means you’ll want your plants to get established as quickly as possible. Get them off to a good start by incorporating Rootgrow into the planting hole. This mycorrhizal fungi is a product that is endorsed by the RHS, and recommended by David Austin. It will help to quickly establish strong, healthier roots on your precious new plants. 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.

There are hundreds of other things I could tell you about, but I think I’ve said quite enough for one month …. apart, that is, than to remind you that as well as plants for outside, we now have a constant stock of wonderful houseplants! Alex has taken over sourcing, buying and looking after these little beauties, and he’s doing a grand job. They’re housed in the vintage shed (where there are some nice new vintage pieces, by the way, that I picked up at a recent antique fair).

I sincerely hope that the next time I see you I won’t still be wearing thermals, a scarf and at least one fleece, and that we’ll all be able to envisage warm evenings spent in the garden admiring Mother Nature’s handiwork!

Now, over to you, Sally ……

Warm regards

Karen

PS We are open right over Easter, with our usual opening hours. On Easter Sunday from 11am – 1pm we will have Easter eggs as prizes for any child who ‘finds the bunny’ hidden somewhere in the garden centre.

Garden jobs for
April 2015

Garden jobs in April

I just love spring. Daffodils mark its arrival for me, and are such a happy sight - I'm so glad that many London boroughs plant swathes of them which shine brightly for weeks. Blossom is bursting on trees and shrubs, and soon we'll have fresh green leaves. It's time to get out in the garden, or onto the balcony, and get gardening. Here we go...!

2 key jobs for the month

1. Plant a tree. There's a tree for every garden, every balcony, every terrace. Trees provide so much - they clean the air and provide oxygen; they provide a canopy and habitat for wildlife; they can provide food - apples, pears, plums, cherries - for humans and wildlife; they provide shade, reducing evaporation from a lawn; they mark the seasons, they are inspiring, and invaluable. Right tree, right place, many benefits!

2. Weather: Beware of late frosts which could damage young plants, and winds which could rock newly planted trees.

1. 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 can all 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.
• Sow leaf crops at two week intervals to have a steady supply of cut and come again salad. Try lettuce, rocket, coriander, chard, Beetroot, spinach, and any other favourites. Rows of seeds can be a centimetre apart, in a seed bed or in a grow bag or container.
• Direct sow sweet peas. The resulting plants will flower later than any sown earlier under glass or over wintered.
• Direct sow sunflowers, poppies, pot marigolds and other annuals.
• 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.

2. Planting

• Spring is an ideal time to plant evergreen shrubs and hedges, herbaceous perennials, shrubs, trees, and climbers. Plant them well and they will reward you for years to come.
• Container grown plants can be planted at any time of year, keep them well watered until they are established in their first season.
• New summer bedding should be protected from frosts until the risk has passed, but it’s great to get pots and baskets planted up ready for the months ahead.

3. Fruit

• Prune young stone fruit trees such as plums and cherries as leaf buds open.
• Feed soft fruit bushes and strawberries with a general fertilizer to encourage bumper crops.
• Fruit bushes and trees can 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.

4. General maintenance around the garden

• Feed roses and other shrubs with proprietary or general fertiliser and cover with a mulch of horse manure or good compost. Start treating against blackspot and mildew with an appropriate spray.
• 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. If you use a weed killing spray on weeds, make sure it's a still day with no wind, wear gloves, and keep it away from plants you want to keep. Alternatively use a systemic weed killer which can be painted onto the leaves.
• 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. And/or use a straw or bark chipping mulch which will help to deter slugs and snails.
• 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, but leave the leaves to die down naturally. This will replenish the bulb with energy to form next year’s flower. Give the leaves a dousing of liquid fertiliser, to help further.
• Cut back the leaves of Pulmonaria, especially if they are in a sunny or dry position where the leaves may get scorched or be susceptible to mildew. A fresh set of leaves will grow, with stronger markings.
• Large clumps of Agapanthus can be divided in spring. If container grown plants failed to flower last year, they may benefit from repotting in John Innes 2 or 3. Give them a feed and water regularly. Remember that they like to have their roots restrained.
• Divide Hostas before they come into leaf - dig up and divide large clumps, replanting sections with a spike of new growth showing.

5. 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.
• Prune well established Cotinus shrubs if you would like to encourage bigger leaves (this will be at the expense of flowers, but may be worth it).
• Clip shrubs and hedges of Photinia, Prunus lusitanica, Hebes, Fatsia and Mahonia, always to a point of well placed lower growth.
• Cut perennials such as Penstemons, Verbena bonariensis, Gaura and other summer flowerers to new shoots on last year's growth.

6. 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.

7. Pots and containers

• Check pots and containers regularly for watering requirements.
• If you haven't already, scrape the top layer of compost off containers and replace with fresh compost.

8. Garden pests and diseases

We have had a fairly mild winter, with few frosts to knock various pest populations.

• Watch out for early insect attacks. Tackling problems early should make them 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.
• If using an insecticide, use it wisely to avoid killing beneficial insects. Don’t use sprays if there is even a whisper of a breeze, because the insecticide will be carried. And ideally spray early morning or late evening when fewer flying insects are around.
• Look out for blackspot on rose leaves and pick off affected leaves – early removal and control may eliminate the need for fungicide treatment.
• Slugs dislike strong smelling plants, so try planting a selection of mint, chives, garlic, geraniums, foxgloves, lavender and fennel around the edge of your garden.

9. 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

I'll be planning my container growing this month. I will get rid of the cyclamen and hellebores which have flowered their socks off for months, and hopefully replace them with something just as hardworking. I treated myself to a ladder shelving unit which has increased the space on one balcony considerably, so now I can have more pots and plants to water!

Good gardening!

Sally