The Flower Garden
* Sprinkle granular fertiliser round roses, shrubs and along the base of hedges
* Sow sweet peas into deep pots
* Transplant evergreen shrubs and conifers to new sites
* Place grow-through plant supports over tall-growing perennials, like delphiniums
* Divide spreading clumps of perennials, such as phlox and campanula, by cutting off rooted outer sections and transplanting them elsewhere
The Fruit and Vegetable Garden
* Sow peas in lengths of guttering under cover, so you can plant out seedlings in an instant row
* Plant out onion sets in rows, spacing them about 10-15cm apart
* Carefully dig away grass or plants growing close to the stems of fruit trees to reduce competition
* Feed cabbages and other brassicas with pelleted chicken manure or another nitrogen-rich fertiliser
* Spray new leaves of peaches and nectarines with copper fungicide to prevent peach leaf curl
* Sow seeds of the following crops outside or under cloches: carrots, beetroot, broad beans, salad onions, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, spinach, leeks, lettuce, rocket, coriander, mixed salad or stir fry leaves, radish, turnip, peas, lettuce and Swiss chard
In The Greenhouse
* Plant canna lilies in pots, and leave in a warm position
* Sow strawberry seeds, including alpine varieties
* Visit garden centres to buy young bedding plants that can be grown on to a larger size under glass
* Cut off dead hippeastrum flowers, but allow the green stalk to die down naturally
* Raise tender climbers from seed, such as morning glory, black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia), Chilean glory flower (Eccremocarpus) and rhodochiton
* Clean the leaves of evergreen houseplants by wiping them with a damp cloth
* Sow seeds of greenhouse crops, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, chillis, aubergines and okra
Generally Around The Garden
* Replenish gravel and grit mulches around alpine plants
* Put slug barrier products around the tender new shoots of hostas and perennials
* Dig plenty of compost into heavy clay soils
* Cut down marginal plants around ponds, and mulch with compost or bark
* Once house bulb displays have finished flowering, plant them outside and water in well with a liquid feed
* Mow paths through areas of long grass and meadows to avoid walking on bulbs and wildflowers
Happy gardening
See you next week.
Andrew
