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 tress. You will be amazed at the response and your shed is tidy.
Firm up any plants that may have been loosened 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. Clematis tip: Early flowering is from January to May. Late flowering is from June to December.
Clean up borders, leaves dead foliage etc.
Divide polyanthus by digging up the clump and tearing individual plants from the clump. Then replant in other areas to expand the show next year.
Prune young plum trees before the buds break, also 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 too early. To remove 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 the exception is the orange blooming buddleia globosa which will only need the damaged stems removing otherwise a quick tidy will suffice.
Clean strawberry patches and prepare for new planting.
Check for and treat 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. This works so well for me because I often look at my gardening efforts and think ‘you must be joking’. Hopefully spirits will have been lifted, what an inspiring and magical time of year!
Happy Gardening …
David Penny