Sponsored by Upchurch River Valley Golf Course LtdApril is upon us and there is nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. As the temperatures warm up and spring takes a hold, everything gets going. I miss the Kent orchards which are spectacular when the buds burst and the blossom starts to show. I haven’t seen a single orchard up here in Suffolk, which is more Sugar Beet and Swede. Nothing wrong with that of course, just not so pretty! The weather has turned wet and cold again and slowed down progress. It is very manly clearing brambles (without gloves of course) with rain and sleet lashing your face… but also very stupid. I have made some progress on the southern boundary, clearing the undergrowth and discovering all sorts of old tools and discarded bottles. Apparently, the previous owner was a publican who had a local pub and quite clearly had some good parties in the back garden.
I have yet to make a start on the lawn, and the recent cold snap appears to have slowed it down a bit and bought a bit of time. It is pleasing to see the birds gathering up the moss for nesting material, although it is leaving large bare patches where there is very little grass. At least moss is green. April is the month to give the lawn its first Weed & Feed. High Nitrogen to get it going and green it up, and if possible two weed killers to start clearing all the weeds. Weed killers vary in effectiveness, so it is best to find a product that has two or even three to help eradicate all the weeds. Cutting will also clear most annual weeds, so lower the blades a little and aim to cut every two weeks. Seed can be sown into bare patches, but wait a few days after applying the Weed & Feed.
Now is the time to get the seedlings going, so dig out the trays and give them a good rinse, unless, of course, you did it when you planted out last year… ? Use a good compost for seedlings. A lot of cheap, poor-quality compost has appeared in the garden centres in recent years. The seeds will germinate naturally but then struggle to generate much growth and are too tender for fertilisers. Some seed is best going straight into the ground, like Parsnip, which doesn’t like being transplanted, so follow the instructions on the packet. Most will germinate within 7-14 days, except Parsnip, which seems to take weeks. When they do show it is hard to differentiate them from the weeds. Seedlings in trays should be uncovered once the leaves start to show or else they are prone to fungus infection, which kills them off.
Leek seedlings ready to pot on.
Tidy up the borders and clear out the weeds unless you have already done so. I like to turn the soil over with a hand fork which makes short work of the weeds and looks so good afterwards. The Snowdrops have gone over now, but collect the seed heads and plant them about 1” deep and they should come up next year. That helps to spread them out into drifts rather than tight clumps. The Daffodils are in full force and just what you need in early spring to cheer things up. The Tulips will follow but are not so long-lasting. Personally, I like strong vivid colours in spring and go for bold yellows and reds. However, there is a myriad of colours available these days for those who prefer contrasting pastel shades rather than clashing primaries.
There is a lot to do now, and it can seem a bit daunting, but by the end of May, you can take your leisure and enjoy outdoor living. It is good to invite family and friends around for a BBQ and completely show off all the work you have done while maintaining extreme modesty and pretending that it is nothing.
There is nothing wrong in taking satisfaction in your labours, and it is a great pleasure at the end of the day to prepare a meal, pull a cork and see where you have been. Also, the sleep of a labouring man is sweet even though his back may hurt in the morning. Another good thing is that the Laithwaites wine box has arrived, so I need to get the Gruner Vetliner in the fridge in time for the evening entertainment.
UHS is always looking for new members and tries 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 shows we hold each year, 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 Tracy Wells: tracywells0312@gmail.com
Sean Barry
