Sowing the seeds of spring

If you haven’t already done so then now’s the time to get planting. The soil has had a healthy dousing from relatively frequent rains and the temperature appears to finally be gradually rising so digging shan’t be a problem. I’m pretty sure it was actually hot, or at least warm, at the weekend.

 

Container plants, will need a generous helping of fertiliser, once planted, as well as water to help them tolerate the disturbance. Any bulbs will also need an assisted start too but once they bloom.  It is best to do this for existing bulbs also as it’ll always help to give them a boost.

 

  

 

Certainly, as we waltz into May, one should definitely be looking towards sowing the majority of plants. Roses in particular will be looking for a continuous maintenance programme throughout the summer. A generous fertilising around the bases of rose bushes along with shrubs and trees will have be a huge benefit to their health. Beginning to give the roses, in particular, a spray for insects and diseases will ensure a satisfying bloom for the coming months.

 

      

 

Starting to think about protecting the garden from herbivorous nasties such as slugs will go a long way to deterring them over the long term. There are many ways to be rid of slugs and snails; most of them tend to result in molluscocide though. A couple of ‘humane’ methods are to plant sage or red-leafed plants around the area. Another is to surround the bed with sand or similarly small and sharp debris like crushed egg shells. However, if it doesn’t bother you or the camel’s back has been strawed then digging a cup into the ground and filling it with beer will result in a lot of drowned slugs. Make sure to empty and refill it each day or so.