Now that Spring is around the corner my first job is the lawn, the grass can often be on the long side after a mild winter so my first job is to mow off the top growth. DO NOT cut the grass to short and don’t scarify just yet but do rake of any leaves after your first cut. You will be able to inspect whether or not you have any problems, moss or weeds and  if so, use a spring fertilizer and moss killer. Starting now will give your lawn a good start as I have always mentioned, the lawn makes the garden. I f you do have problems please contact me and I will do my best to help. Continue reading →

Hello and I wish you all a very happy new year. This month gardening is the last thing we think of especially when the weather has been so wet but their are some jobs we need to do especially if you have roses. Prune roses by cutting each stem to the lowest bud on the stem removing all dead wood and shortening the leader shoots about a third. You can also prune and shape any bare trees.

Fragrant winter flowers are available to buy and can be planted now. However I prefer to put mine in pots. One of the best for heavenly scent is Daphne odora. Continue reading →

October in the garden – clocks go back end of the month and  this reduces the time we have in the garden so now is the time to get those jobs done especially while the temperatures are a little higher than normal.  An ideal job would be the lawn. Continue reading →

August

For many gardeners this month is winding down. The garden centres are clearing away summer bedding at bargain prices but this year the warm climate gives gardeners a second chance. Your garden is hardier than you think and there are plenty of gardening tasks for August that will keep your flowers and vegetables going longer as well as planning next year .

My first  task every few days is to cut back the  hanging baskets. Remove all dead foliage to encourage another display of flowers. They may be not as vigorous in growth but at least you will have colour. Remember to feed and  water well  and keep deadheading foliage. I love wandering around the  garden in  evening with my secateurs and  snipping off dead flowers. Another of my jobs is to start taking cuttings and saving seeds especially the old fashioned marigold seeds. Planting them each year amongst the borders seems to keep my plants free of aphids and other pests. It must work because I have not seen them in my garden. Cut back geraniums to revitalize the plants. As most of you know I have Banana plants growing in the garden, some in pots and some in the ground. Well I’ve never seen them so tall and healthy. Each time I go in the garden I think I am in the tropics! I bought some Banana plants early spring from Lydiate garden nursery about 18″ tall £9.99. They are now over 6ft tall which proves regular feeding and  watering gives results

SEPTEMBER

You ou can divide herbaceous perennials, collect seeds and sow annuals –  the hardy variety. I will be dividing my collection of bamboos and hostas  splitting with sharp spade and re potting you can also split in spring, if any member would like some bamboo  please contact me. Enjoy the summer my biggest regret is I didn’t opened my garden this year –  its spectacular. If you would like to visit the garden contact me on 07935286184 and I will try arrange a time.

Norman.

Hello everyone . July I think may be the start of summer if you can believe the weather men but it does look promising. Watering of the pots should continue on a daily basis, don’t allow the pots to dry out. In the borders I don’t normally water the ground as it can encourage roots to come to the surface for moisture then you will be forever be out with the hose. If you grow plants in window boxes, hanging baskets, tubs or any other container make sure they are well looked after. Once in flower and growing well, they will need liquid feeding. I do mine at least once a week. Another important job is to deadhead as this will encourage a longer flowering period. Removing faded flowers of delphinium’s and lupins  will encourage another show of flowers .

This month is ideal to take cuttings and propagate hydrangeas and  shrubs. Remember softwood tip cuttings can be taken early summer from  new unripened stems, hardwood cuttings in middle summer Autumn and root cuttings in winter when the plant is dormant.

Tomatoes will need feeding now with plenty of water. I planted a bucket up with a tumbler tomato and placed on a hook I cannot  believe how well it has grown and produced a big crop of  tomatoes. Another of my favourite salad crops is rocket –  so easy to grow with a lovely peppery taste. I use scissors to cut of what I need and it just grows back. I am told its full of vitamin C .

The Lawn will be needing some tender care especially if the hot weather continues. I have been watering late evening to keep the grass growing. When mowing, keeping the cutter high this ensures a nice lush lawn.

A lot of U3A members have been asking when I am going to open my garden. I have decided to cancel it this year but hope to open next year. I have missed the event but I feel the garden needs a makeover.  I have posted some photos of the garden as it looks now.

Norman.

Things to do in March

Pruning

March is a busy month with most herbaceous perennials showing signs of growth and some shrubs requiring pruning.

Now is the time to prune those shrubs which like Buddleia, will flower later in the year on new growth. Plants which flower on the previous year’s growth, for example Forsythia, should be pruned immediatley after flowering.

Lawns

March is also the beginning of the mowing season, necessary to keep your lawn in good condition. Before cutting my lawn I spend a couple hours raking off the thatch and worm casts. This ensures the grass sits up for the mower. I adjust the mower blade height so that just the tips of the grass are removed then neaten up the edges and around trees with the strimmer. At the end of March I scarify the lawn and fill in any bare patches with grass seed .

Exotics

March is when I awake my Banana plants which have been sleeping wrapped up in a corner of the garage. They have been showing signs of growth and the largest plant at over 5ft  has continued to grow throughout the winter producing two new leaves.  Another of my favourites, the Lemon tree,  has rewarded me with 5 lemons and has continued growing in the warmth of the garage.  This proves the benefits of wrapping your tender and tropical plants with horticultral fleece .

I am happy to answer questions on most Tuesday mornings or over the phone. Alternatively add a comment below. Happy gardening .  Norman Conway.

There are numerous jobs to start in February and most gardeners will be thinking of the coming spring.

Do not rush, the season hasn’t  started and there is a lot of time to catch up.

I usually plot and plan. February is a great time to be sorting out all your ideas for the spring. I have decided to grow some veg this year in tubs and and large pots and will now sow seeds of broad beans and early carrots plus some lettuce .

Flowers and Shrubs: you can now plant anemones, ranunculus, gladioli in groups where you want them to flower.

Divide clumps of perennials, plant evergreens like Laurel and if you have a greenhouse sow some hardy annuals. One job I do now is to cut back winter flowering shrubs as they finish flowering.

Lawns: Aerate and rake as often as possible this will ensure you have a healthy lawn when the grass starts to grow. it’s a job I do weekly whenever the weather permits and visitors to my garden always remark on my lawn –  it’s all down to preparation, so start now .

Dahlias are one of my favourites and its now I place the tubers in a box with  compost near a window in the garage and within 4 weeks they are starting to show signs of growth it enables me to take cuttings and the dahlias are also well established by May for planting out. Norman.