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After a promising start to the Spring, April turned out to be very cold at times which has resulted in a slow germination. This is the very reason why you should keep seed compost only slightly moist and not too wet as the longer the time to germinate the greater the likelihood of fungus causing rot. My beans courgettes and marrows have only just started to germinate after 20 days but luckily no signs of casualties just yet. Bottom heat is a great help to get seeds and especially cuttings going quickly and there are a range of electrically heated propagation mats available these days which are ideal for the purpose. Just take a look on Amazon.
Hopefully lawns are starting to recover a bit as the grass gets growing and new seed starts to sprout. I need to do further “scratch and sow” as I still have numerous bald patches following the damage from last summer. It is important to keep everything well watered in dry weather to keep the lawn growing well as it recovers and not allow new grass to dry out.
As spring bulbs start to die down resist the temptation to remove the top growth, just deadhead the seed pods and give them a liquid feed which will strengthen the bulbs for next year. Lift and replant crowded bulbs and collect the seed heads from snowdrops and plant them about 1” deep and they will be up next year. Harden off any annuals or perennial seedlings for about 10 days before planting out in the borders or making up containers and hanging baskets. Continue dividing perennials and taking basal cuttings to increase numbers and now is also a good time for stem tip cuttings of softwood shrubs. Just avoid taking cuttings from shrubs that are in flower or producing bud as it is asking too much for a cutting to also generate roots. Start battling the pests and diseases as they become apparent and keep a good supply of pesticides and fungicides which can be applied with a sprayer.
In the vegetable patch, thin out direct sown seeds. The advice seems to be to prepare a seed drill (a furrow in the soil) and sprinkle seeds as evenly as possible. However, I prefer to take a pinch of seeds and push them into the soil at the correct spacing and then thin out the weaker ones as they germinate. This ensures that you always get the correct spacing. Pinch out the tops of broad beans when the pods start to appear which will deter the blackfly. Erect a climbing bean frame ideally from 8’ sturdy bamboo poles and plant out runner beans and climbing beans once they are hardened off. Start harvesting rhubarb taking only one third of the stems on the first picking.
As fruit starts to form on apples, pears and plums be quick to start thinning it out if there is too much. Over-bearing will produce a mass of small fruits that may start stripping off branches and can exhaust a tree resulting in a poor crop next year. Remember that there is a natural “June drop” when trees shed excess fruit but aim to take only as much fruit as you need.
As the temperatures rise remember to keep everything well watered using water butts as much as possible especially for ericaceous plants. So on the subject of watering I think I am getting a bit dry myself.
We are always looking for new members and try to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables and flowers or even enter any of the 3 shows we hold each year, then please get in touch, we would be happy to hear from you.
If you are interested in becoming a new member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Rosey on: 01634 377812 (evenings) or Email: rosemary@ringwoodaccounting.co.uk
Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society
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