It’s bluebell season, what a wonderful sight. The weather has been so cold and wet since we moved into Spring and not always so enticing to go and work in the garden, hopefully we are turning the corner with the weather.

Summer Pots

If you dislike weeding and/or digging gardening, using pots is a good alternative. If you wish to grow plants that need a specific soil which is not the one you have in your garden, then container planting is the simplest option. For example, blueberries need an acidic soil and you can fill a pot with peat free ericaceous compost and you can move the container to a sunny spot. Keep the soil moist and they should reward you with a good crop. Bluetta and Sunshine Blue are compact varieties are best for containers.

Pots for bees and butterflies

Plant up a large pot up that attracts bees and butterflies. Use Buddleia ‘Buzz Ivory’, a lavatera and verbena rigida. Keep the pot well-watered and at the end of the season you can put the plants into the soil in your garden. A win win situation.

Large display pots

Large pots give impact in your garden.  You would need a tall feature plant such as a canna or a large upright fuchsia for the centre. Then fill the area around it with bedding plants, such as felicia and lobelia. Then around the edges of the pot put in trailing plants such as trailing ivy and trailing Helichrysum and campanula.

Plant Dahlias

Prepare the soil, dig out perennial weeds ensuring you get the root out and then dig in either well-rotted manure or garden compost. Start to plant dahlias when the soil is warm and there is no risk of frost. Dahlias generally need to be planted 15cms deep and 45 cms apart, this is dependent on the size and variety. Plant with the root ball 5-8 cms below the soil surface.

Cut back forsythia

Cut back forsythia as it will be finishing now. Remove a third of the old woody shoots cutting close to the base. Then cut back flowering shoots with secateurs to keep the plant in a good shape. Prune them lightly as they carry next year’s flowers. Make clean cuts that slope away from just above a healthy young shoot.

Divide early perennials

Divide early flowering perennials, such as primulas, once the flowers have faded. Tease the clump apart and discard any yellowing or diseased leaves. It is important to check that each plant has a good root system. Put the plants in freshly dug soil in sun or part shade, maintaining the original growing depth.

Plant out summer bedding at the end of the month

Bedding plants provide a temporary decorative seasonal display for beds, borders, containers and hanging baskets, but do watch out for late frosts.  Take some simple steps to protect the plants in your garden from frost.

  • Slightly tender plants should be grown in a warm sunny spot, e.g. against a south-facing wall, which will provide some extra warmth
  • Cover plants with a double layer of horticultural fleece or other suitable protection when frost is forecast

Hedge Pruning

Some hedges are already starting to look a little unruly, but before undertaking work on garden hedges check that there are no birds nesting, The bird nesting season is usually considered to run from March to August.

Herbs

Plant herbs such as thyme, marjoram and rosemary, their flowers attract pollinators.

Lots of jobs but have a fun relaxing time in the garden.