Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2010 | Page 124

gardening

Island Life - June/July 2010

Mrs Thompson
Thompsons Garden
Centre

Spring came very late & the beginning
of May was so disappointing it left
many keen gardeners weeks behind
with jobs to do! But don’t despair we
all had a late season but plants soon
respond to the sunshine & warmer
temperature. Nature has a marvellous
way of catching up both in the
vegetable garden & summer borders.
If there are gaps in the flower beds
choose summer flowering container
grown shrubs or roses to add
some extra colour. It’s still time to
plant some larger pots of Lupins,
Delphiniums, Cosmos, Cornflower or
Dahlias to mention a few favourite
perennials.
Summer containers & hanging
baskets brighten up even the
smallest patio making an enjoyable
place to sit at the end of a busy
day. Water pots regularly, evenings
are the best so that the water can
soak in! Feed every 2 – 3 weeks, this
really improves growth & flowering.
Do remove faded blooms & trim
plants to keep growth neat & extend
the flowering season. There are so
many new ideas for planting pots &
window boxes, including a mixture of
geraniums, Osteospernums & fuchsias
or even herbs such as variegated

Yellow Margeurites

124

Time to Enjoy
your Garden
scented Thymes. Hanging baskets just
with trailing strawberries or tomatoes
are becoming very popular & really do
well. Do check out some of the lovely
new varieties of Million Bells, Explorer
Surfinia Petunia, Diascias & Verbenas
if you have a few more containers to
plant.

It was a really late season for some
of the vegetable crops but there are
now so many excellent varieties of
“Speedy Veg” seed. Sow weekly for a
successive crop. It is a great opportunity
to sow mixed lettuce seed & radishes;
which can be ready 3 – 4 weeks later.
Perpetual spinach is quick & easy,
sow little & often, ready to pick out
after 20 – 30 days. Beetroot & “Early
Nantes” carrots produce a good crop
after 8 weeks, tender baby finger

carrots & baby beetroot, well worth
trying. Runner beans & dwarf beans
are especially great as “home grown”
vegetables & taste so much better.
Plant a second crop, they can be picked
young & tender! Many of the quick
growing vegetables can be grown in
containers.
At last the sun has decided to
make an appearance & with warm
days ahead it’s good to enjoy time
out in the garden. There are many
new types of easy care furniture
including metal & glass, wood &
resin. Available are small patio “tea
for two’s” to larger 4 & 6 seater
sets. Some sets have weather- proof
textaline fabric, comfort without
cushions, and can stay outside.
With the increase of family outdoor
living hammocks, benches & occasional
furniture is becoming more popular.
There is a good range of quality
furniture about at affordable prices plus
the must have barbecue.
So let the sun continue to shine, get
out & visit Thompson’s & try before you
buy! Then relax, put your feet up &
enjoy the garden.

Mixed Summer tubs

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