We are here to help where we can with advice and ideas. Please contact us with any queries and we will do our best to point you in the right direction. The committee has a wealth of experience in different aspects of gardening and between us we should be able to cover most things. Please email us and include photos if possible.

 

GARDENING JOBS THROUGH THE YEAR

SPRING: February - April

Chit early potatoes and plant when ready. Feed and prune all shrub roses and fruit trees (except for plums which should be pruned when in leaf). Start to sow regular sowings of salad crops under glass and outdoors when weather warms up. Sow hardy annuals outside and half-hardy ones under glass. Pot up and harden off seedlings before planting out when risk of frost decreases. Protect herbaceous borders against slug damage, weed and mulch and position support frames. Cut back deciduous grasses and other ornamental seed heads left to stand during the winter. Start cutting the lawn. Sow grass seed to patch lawns as weather warms. Plant bare rooted new trees, shrubs. Plant dahlias and begonias under glass.

EARLY SUMMER: May - July

Feed roses again. Continue to sow vegetables either outside or under glass, also sow biennials e.g. wall flowers, foxgloves etc and perennials. Shade the greenhouse. “Chelsea Chop” herbaceous plants to stagger their flowering to later in the year. Trim box and other evergreens. Tie in plants as they grow. Check for pest and disease continually to ensure you catch it early. Hoe/weed frequently and deadhead flowers to prolong the display. Fill gaps with new plants and ensure you water them regularly for their first few months. Pot up annual flower displays and bring outside when the frosts have past. Repot any plants that are rootbound, top dress any display plants that have been in their pots since last year. Prune shrubs after they have flowered.

MID TO LATE SUMMER: July - October

Cut hedges after birds have fledged. Continue deadheading. “Hampton Hack” plants to refresh and reshape and try taking cuttings at the same time – e.g. salvias, pelargoniums, fuchsias, cistus, many plants are easy to propagate. Continue with regular mowing, patch lawns as weather cools. Continue to pick and enjoy fruit and veg crops. Lift early spuds and earth up main crop. Summer prune fruit trees. Cut wildflower meadows. Towards the end of this period clean the greenhouse before you bring things in to over winter. Divide old herbaceous plants. Keep weeding as they keep growing!

WINTER: November - January

Winter digging incorporating manure/compost as you clear veg beds. Lift and store all root crops. Try to keep off lawns if frosty but collect any leaves on the lawn when you can. Check tree stakes and fences, secure plants, and pots. Prune climbing roses and fruit trees once the leaves are off. Plant bare rooted deciduous trees, roses and other shrubs. Sow sweet peas, other hardy annuals and winter salad crops under glass. Plant spring flowering bulbs, tulips, daffs, alliums etc.

Browse catalogues for seeds and bulbs and order for next year’s displays.

ENJOY YOUR GARDEN!