APRIL GARDENING
Hello there, today is Friday 11th March and what a day it has been!
Probably the warmest day of the year so far. At one stage myself and Helen
where gardening in our t-shirts, it was such a nice feeling to have the sun
beating down on your back. I really hope the weather is about to turn
now, as the recent wet and grey days have become a bit boring recently.
I am also feeling a large weight lifting
from my shoulders, as my own garden
is becoming to take shape. We had an
extension last year, thus turning the
garden into a building site, so I have had
to effectively start from scratch. All that
needs to be done now is the turfing, the
ground has been levelled out and prepared
ready. All the beds are nearly done (just
a few perennials to add when the time
is right) and everything that should be
pruned by now, has been. It was very
Border design
difficult for me to fit the time in whilst trying to
please my regulars, but I have chipped away bit by
bit and it’s nearly done.
By the time you are reading this I predict that those
early flowering perennials will be well and truly
on their way. Bearded Iris is one of my favourites,
but my all time favourite early flowering perennial
is ‘Dicentra Spectabilis’ or ‘Bleeding Hearts’. A
Chinese plant with red heart-shaped flowers and
white tips. Although it grows in light shade and
looks good growing in clumps amongst shrubs, it
often does even better in a sunny border, provided
the soil stays sufficiently moist.
The weather in April will certainly kick start your
lawn into shape, a mixture of April showers and
(hopefully) warm sun will make the grass grow
rapidly. Ideally I try to mow my own lawn once
a week in spring and summer, but this obviously
depends on a number of obstacles like the weather
and if you are too busy. I mentioned in an earlier
article towards the end of last year about raking
the moss out from your lawn, adding a good
quality loam and making spike holes which will
help drainage. If this was done then you have a
good head start towards a lush, green lawn, which
you can enjoy during the summer months. Also,
anytime from April you can apply a good ‘weed and
feed’ product to your lawn which will also help a lot.
Right, time to get the BBQ out and give it a good
clean, hopefully we can get a lot of usage out of it
this year!
by Stuart McCann of
Gardening Angel
14
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