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I’m very glad to have cunningly missed the worst of the winter weather by being in Uganda in February (even if at the time of writing I am huddled inside with two fleeces and the heater on!)

I’m delighted to see all the signs of the imminent arrival of spring, though. It was quite strange to be on the equator, and realise that every month is the same as the last – with only tiny fluctuations in temperature and rainfall. Two identical trees can be side by side, and whilst one is dormant, the other can be dripping fruit. Wonderful as it was, it made me realise how much I love living in a country with seasons – there’s always something to look forward to. And surely spring is the most glorious season of all?

Right now at the garden centre we have woodland primroses and narcissi in flower, pots of spring bulbs, fat flower buds on camellias and magnolias, blossom just starting to appear on the flowering cherries …all of which tells us it’s time, once again, to get going on growing.

Come and visit us for:

• Seeds (flower, vegetable and herb), seed potatoes, and seed compost
• Propagators, seed trays, labels and other sundries
• Summer flowering bulbs (Dahlia, Gladioli, Lilies)
• Gloves, trowels, spades and tools

We’ve moved things around a bit so that now all our “grow your own” sundries are in the main shop, making it easier for you to gather all you need more easily.

Outside, we have lots of larger plants in stock, including fruit trees and soft fruit, along with David Austin roses (it’s worth re-emphasising that now is the best time to plant them). Our recent delivery of Italian stock includes some gorgeous shrubs and trees, which are excellent value.

The first of the herbs are in, and the number of varieties available will increase dramatically over the coming weeks. If the weather improves, we’ll start to sell young vegetable plants before the month is out.

All of this planting will take its toll on your garden soil, so to give it a boost, we have a special offer on horse manure during March:

Buy 3 bags, get one free (while stock lasts)

Well rotted horse manure is one of the best ways to enrich, nourish and improve the structure of your garden soil, so take advantage of this offer and dig lots in. Your plants will love you for it.

As Sally mentions in her “garden tasks” below, we could see the first signs of pests soon, so stock up on slug and snail killer/repellent and use at the first sign of activity. Have your chosen aphid spray to hand as well, to stop the little blighters in their tracks.

We have a fertilizer, pesticide or fungicide for all your requirements. If you haven’t tried them before, we recommend the Maxicrop range of organic seaweed fertilizers. Even with well worked and nourished soil, your plants benefit from additional nutrients during the year, so do try this range if you haven’t done so before … we’re sure you’ll love them as much as we do.

All in all, it could be a busy month in the garden, but make sure you take time to enjoy it, and notice the subtle changes going on all around. I still get ridiculously excited by the buds starting to appear on my apple tree, as I know it heralds a glorious sight to come. Relish the small things …

We all look forward to seeing you at the garden centre very soon.

Warm regards

Karen

   

March Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9:30am – 5:30pm Sundays: 10am – 4pm

Tel:020 8670 7788 www.alleynpark.co.uk

Garden jobs for March

Well, the first 2 months of the year have confused a lot of our plants with temperatures going up and down, snow and cold temperatures giving way to weather that feels like summer. Let’s hope that March marks the start of spring in style so that we can all get out and start enjoying our gardens again.

1. Growing vegetables, herbs and flowers from seed

This is satisfying, fun and can save money. Most seeds are easy to germinate if they have the right combination of water, air, light/dark and warmth. Use good quality seeds, clean equipment and specialised seed compost.

• To sow seed indoors, use a seed tray with holes or a ready prepared propagator with growing medium and lid. If seeds need to be covered, use a sieve to create a thin, even layer of compost.
• One important reminder – label your trays and pots of seedlings!
• When seedlings have their second pair of leaves, prick them out into new trays. As they grow on and develop into stronger plants, replant them into larger pots filled with potting compost.
• Harden off indoor raised plants before planting outside, to prepare them for lower temperatures and air movement. This is done either in a cold frame, or by moving them outside during the day and back in at night.
• Vegetable seeds which can be sown or planted directly outside in March include: Broad beans, Broccoli – purple sprouting, Cabbage, Carrots, Parsnips, Peas, Potatoes and more.
• Sweet peas – we all love sweet peas, but lots of people leave it too late to sow them from seed – do it now so that you can plant strong seedlings outside early.

2. Planting

• Plant trees as soon as you can – we should all put one in for this Jubilee year! Containerised trees can be planted at any time of year, as long as they are cared for, but putting them in when they are dormant is preferable. Support newly planted trees with a tree stake.
• Fruit trees and bushes will provide lots of tasty puddings, jams, snacks – raspberries, blackberries, black currants, gooseberries and blueberries (need ericaceous compost) can all be planted now, a lot of them in containers if you don’t have a patch in the garden. Fruit trees should have any flowers pinched out in the first year to encourage a good root system.
• Shrubs, climbers, roses, summer bulbs, herbaceous perennials – March is a good time to plant many things.
• Herbaceous perennials are becoming available – try some new planting combinations, with summer bulbs and tubers such as Dahlia, Gladioli and Lilies.

3. Dividing perennials

Herbaceous perennials that form a clump can be propagated by division in spring. As well as making new plants for you or a friend, this practice rejuvenates plants. Lift plants with a fork, taking care not to damage the roots. Some plants can be divided by hand, but some will need to be cut with a spade or a knife, or prised apart with two garden forks, back to back. Throw away any dead material, and replant divided sections as soon as possible in well dug soil.

4. Pruning

• Roses Early spring is the right time to prune shrub and patio roses, before the leaves appear. The aim is to create a strong open framework which allows good airflow and helps prevent fungal disease. First, remove any dead or diseased stems, and then cut some of the oldest stems right down to the ground. The remaining stems should be cut down by between a quarter and half, with a view to achieving a well balanced shape when the plant grows again. Always make a slanting cut just above an outward-facing bud, sloping away from the bud. After pruning, water well, apply a granular rose fertiliser and a layer of mulch.
• Other plants/shrubs to prune in Spring include Mahonia, either lightly after flowering or more dramatically to keep them within bounds;
• Shrubs grown for the colour of young stems such as Cornus, Salix (willow) and some Eucalyptus should be cut back hard to allow stems to grow for next winter;
• Winter flowering shrubs like Hamamelis are cut back once the flowers have faded;
• Summer flowering shrubs that flower on the new wood later in the year such as Buddlleja can be cut right back. Keep the woody prunings to use as plant supports around the garden;
• Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars can be pruned back to the first set of strong buds below last years faded flowers. Also remove a few of the oldest stems at the base.

• Clematis pruning depends on the group your plant belongs to:
• Group 1 – winter and early spring flowering – prune if necessary after flowering.
• Group 2 – early summer flowering, including large flowered hybrids – need light pruning – remove dead and diseased growth and cut remaining stems to a pair of healthy buds now.
• Group 3 – flowering after midsummer – prune down to a pair of buds 30cm above the ground now.

• Overgrown, but healthy, shrubs can be pruned hard, and cut back to the main stem in mid-March to mid-April to rejuvenate the plant and allow subsequent pruning to control the overall shape. Or evergreen shrubs such as Choisya, Pittosporum and Skimmia can be pruned more gently, cutting a small amount off each stem now, and then pruning harder, to a new bud, later in the summer to achieve the size and shape you want.
• After pruning always apply a granular fertiliser or mulch around the base of the plant.

5. Protect against frost

We will still have cold, frosty nights through March and April, so protect young plants if low temperatures are forecast. Cloches, fleece, or cut down plastic bottles can provide cover. Cloches can also be used to warm up patches of soil ready for outdoor sowing. If possible, protect fruit blossom with fleece if frost threatens. Tender herbs can be kept inside on a windowsill in the sun, and placed or planted outside when the temperatures are kinder.

6. General tidying and maintenance

• Rake the lawn to remove thatch - old cuttings, leaves and moss – to improve light and to allow precious rain to reach the grass roots
• Apply a layer of Lawn Dressing to nourish and rejuvenate your lawn.
• The lawn can have its first cut of the year, with the blades set high. Take time to tidy the edges, remove any perennial weeds and reseed any bare patches.
• March is a good month to lay new turf. The “News and Info” section of our website has an information page on how to do so.
• Deadhead fading bulbs such as daffodils, but let the leaves die down as this is important for flower production next year. Drench the leaves with a foliar feed as this bulks up the bulb in readiness for next year.
• Get your hoe out on any early weeds, as they will take hold rapidly if not dealt with swiftly.
• Feed and mulch fruit trees and shrubs.
• Dig in horse manure or good compost to beds prior to planting, and as a top dressing.
• Clear your pond of accumulated muck at the bottom in readiness for the frog fiesta!

7. Pests and disease

• Molluscs: Young plant growth is vulnerable to slug and snail damage. Protect with slug pellets or bait, a line of coarse sand, copper rings or tape, or slug traps baited with beer. Early action pays dividends.
• Keep an eye out for aphid attacks. Broad beans, which are one of the earlier crops to sow, are particularly susceptible to black fly. There aren’t many aphid predators such as ladybirds around in early spring, so treat with an appropriate spray insecticide, checking the label for food safety.

8. Wildlife

The birds are still in need of food and water. Keep the feeders full and a fresh supply of water in view of the house – it’s fun to watch the birds splashing about.

Also, put up nesting boxes and roosting nests, and clean out any that have been up all year.

Finally, always watch the weather forecast at this time of year for frosts, or even snow. Here in London, we aren’t as vulnerable as out-of-town gardeners, but protect young plant growth where possible.

See you next month

Sally

March Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9:30am – 5:30pm Sundays: 10am – 4pm

Tel:020 8670 7788 www.alleynpark.co.uk