Gardening

Edition Thirty Five - February 2009

This is the time of year to choose and order your seeds for the kitchen and flower garden.. I like to browse www.thompson-morgan.com where full information is available on their product varieties and orders can be taken on-line.  Have a look to see what is new, and special seasonal offers.

You don't need a dedicated vegetable garden because tomatoes, lettuce and many types of vegetables can be grown in amongst the flowers in your borders. 

If you have a patio there is no reason why you can’t grow vegetables and fruit throughout the Summer.  Any container will do as long as it has sufficient drainage. Terracotta may look good, but it takes more watering than a plastic one. With vegetable growing the bigger the container the better. It provides a good cool root run and watering is required less often.

Some new plants from Thompson-Morgan

Jobs for the month..

• Plastic flower pots and dirty seed trays should be washed thoroughly with disinfectant added to the water, then stacked away ready for use in the spring. 

• This is an excellent time of year for moving shrubs that are growing in the wrong place, or those that have outgrown their position. Aim to lift established plants with as large a root ball as possible. Prepare the soil in the new position by adding some compost...

• Enjoy a mild day by hoeing out any stray weeds that have overwintered.

• Keep paths clear of debris and ice.

• Check tree ties to ensure they aren't cutting into the bark. Replace any that are worn or damaged.  Remove labels on young trees when you plant them.

• It is a good time to spread a thick mulch of compost,  bark chippings or similar material over borders and between trees. This should be done before plants start into growth and will help to kill any early weeds. 

• Keep winter-flowering houseplants such as cyclamen and hyacinths in a cool position in a good light to extend their flowering season, avoiding draughts or dry heat. 

• If you have sown some flower seeds already, ensure they have plenty of natural light if possible and keep them cool once germinated.. Don't overwater them either or they will dampen off and die.

• Check over any Begonia or other tubers that you are overwintering because they'll probably be starting into growth. If you have a conservatory the tubers can be potted up and kept frost-free.

• Overwintered pelargonium's can be stripped of dead flowers and tidied up ready for cuttings to be taken in March/April.. I know the correct time of year to take cuttings is August, but I find they die off over winter, whereas spring cuttings from overwintered stock plants grow brilliantly.