Essentially Local March-April 17

Community
Saying it with flowers
There are many family traditions
associated with giving flowers at
Mothering Sunday and Easter, when
the florists’ are full of affordable
daffodils and other spring flowers.
Thank goodness the attempt by
some in the flower industry to move
Mother’s Day to a more expensive
time of year failed!
Mothering Sunday has its origins in
a church festival and was an important
time for families, when children were
allowed home from their work as
servants and apprentices to see their
families, gathering posies of wild
spring flowers on the way. Most people
love the cheerful sight of flowering
bulbs at this time of year and it doesn’t
take much planning to have your own
in bloom for this special day.
If you don’t have any daffodils
tucked into pots or borders, make a
note to look out for bulbs appearing
for sale from late summer onwards.
Plant them as soon as possible,
either in well-draining containers or
the ground, in a mix of compost and
sharp sand, so they will survive wet
winters. Tulips are also associated with
Mothering Sunday but delay planting
them until November, as they are
prone to disease and late planting
minimises the risk. As the flowers
finish, clear away any fallen petals that
may carry disease.
As a rule of thumb, plant bulbs
at a depth of three times their size,
making sure that the root platelet is
downwards. Don’t worry if you get
this wrong though, they will eventually
right themselves! The you can leave
them to look after themselves until
they reward you with a cheerful
display in spring.
Floral Easter symbols
Most flowers associated with Easter
are white:
White lilies – stand for purity and
goodness
White tulips – passion, belief and love
Daisies – innocence
Irises – faith, wisdom and hope
Hyacinths – peace of mind
Time to get busy
Empty your compost bins, using most
of the contents as a soil improver
on your flower and vegetable beds.
Return a small amount to the bin as a
starter for your next batch.
Sow flower and veg seeds
according to packet instructions
but don’t forget – a packet of 100
seeds can result in 100 seedlings, so
only sow what you will need! Share
varieties with gardening friends, so
you don’t end up with too many halfempty
packets.
Keep an eye out for emerging weeds
and keep the hoe handy before they
can establish themselves and multiply.
Don’t forget to stop for a cup of tea
or coffee and a stroll round to look
for new growth and the promise of
warmer days.
Happy gardening!
Sheila Harvey
48
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