Garden Answers Mini-Mag

EASY GARDENING
BOOST STRUCTURE
Container-grown trees, shrubs and
perennials can be planted all year
round but will establish much faster
if planted in spring – before
temperatures get too warm and the
soil starts to dry out. So, if you’re
looking to boost the amount of
permanent colour and structure in
your beds and borders it’s best to
get it done before summer arrives.
Lavender, phormium, hardy
fuchsia, penstemon and phygelius
are best planted in spring.
Cool down greenhouses and coldframes
Even at this time of year, temperatures
inside greenhouses, conservatories and
growing frames can soar significantly on
sunny days. Strong sunlight and hot
temperatures can be very damaging to
plants, especially seedlings and young
plants. To prevent this from happening,
Weatherwatch
Summer’s nearly here,
and it’s always tempting
to get ahead by planting
out tender bedding and
vegetable plants. But
chilly nights and even frosts
are still a distinct possibility in May,
so protect susceptible
plants from damage by
keeping them indoors
a bit longer. Take
time to harden
them off or
Thin out
hardy annuals
Any hardy annuals sown direct in the
ground last month may need more
space by now. This will ensure they
develop and flower more
profusely and help
reduce problems
with fungal
diseases. For best
results, thin in
two or three
stages at weekly
intervals. The
final spacings should be
23-30cm (9-12in) apart,
depending on the plants’
eventual size and spread.
✿ Sow more hardy annuals now, to
enjoy months of colour.
open doors and vents to increase air
movement and ventilation on warm,
sunny days, but close them again
around 4pm.
If the weather really warms up it’s
worth applying a summer shading wash
or putting up shading materials.
Keep on mowing
Weekly mowing is a must now the
grass is growing fast to help you
achieve a good quality, great-looking
lawn. It’s quicker than mowing
infrequently because you won’t need
to empty the grassbox as often!
A good mowing regime encourages
fine-leaved grasses at the expense of
coarser, weedier ones – and promotes
a thicker lawn that discourages weeds
and moss.
✿ Keep grass around
2.5-4cm (1-1½in) high.
Raise the cutting height
to 5cm (2in) in shady
areas.
✿ Apply a granular or
liquid spring and
summer feed now to help
your lawn grow thick and
green. Granular feeds last
for some weeks.
✿ Use a feed, weed and
mosskiller to get rid of weeds
and moss. This will also help to
strengthen the grass.
1
DIG IN LOTS OF ORGANIC
MATTER. This will get new
plants off to a flying start.
Well-rotted manure, garden
compost or tree and shrub planting
compost are ideal. Add bonemeal
or a controlled-release plant food
to help improve root growth and
establishment.
2
WATER THE PLANT
THOROUGHLY. Soak its
roots before moving it into
its new hole. Plant at the same
depth the plant was originally
growing then firm soil around its
roots. Give the plants another
good soaking to settle the soil
around their roots.
3
MULCH THE SOIL. Add a
7.5-10cm (3-4in) thick layer
of bark (or gravel) to help
retain soil moisture as well as
discouraging weeds.
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