GARDENING JOBS FOR THE MONTH

TOP TIP Fertilizers and feeds do not stay active for very long so if you have a collection of half empty fertilizers or feeds use them up under hedges and around established trees. You will be amazed at the response and your shed is tidy.

Firm up any plants that may have been lifted by frost or wind.
If you have not pruned the late flowering clematis do it NOW and be brave.
Early flowering clematis should only be lightly tidied
Clean up borders
Divide polyanthus
Prune old raspberry canes down to the ground as soon as the new growth appears.
Prune plums and cherries now as the sap begins to rise
Lawnmowers should be serviced as soon as possible before the first cut it saves time, temper and a pulled muscle.
Don’t be tempted to mow lawns too short removing 2” or 3” of grass is plenty the first time.
Make repairs to lawns, reseed or re-turf
If we have a wet March delay digging of heavy soils until the ground dries out a little.
Clean pots, troughs, window boxes etc. with a disinfectant fluid
Weeds should be nipped out now before they get a good foothold
Check for early slug damage and commence slug countermeasures
Hebe’s and Heathers respond to a tidy and feed with a general purpose fertiliser
Boost hedges with a dose of manure or a general fertiliser (see TOP TIP above)
Trim Ivy off walls where necessary please always take care when climbing ladders, I fell off mine!
Hard prune down to 12”/18” buddleia and mallow (Lavatera) However only prune damaged stems of the orange (globosa) buddleia.
Clean strawberry patches and prepare for new planting
Treat for vine weevil in container grown plants
Feed fruit trees with nitrogen
Sow spring onions, lettuce, turnips, carrots, radish, spinach, spring onions, seed potatoes and onion sets.
As it gets warmer start to feed your fish and pond plants

REMEMBER Laughing and gardening are two of the best things in life to promote good health and a sense of well being but in spring time ones optimism soars and makes the heart glad. This works so well for me because I often look at my gardening efforts and think ‘you must be joking’.

Happy Gardening to you all.
David Penny