I’m delighted to see all the signs of the imminent arrival of spring, at last. We’re on the cusp of an explosion of life that we seem to have been waiting AGES for!

Of course, the return of spring brings with it a wealth of things to do in the garden (which Sally highlights after this note), but first and foremost, March is a month to revel in noticing the little indications of what’s to come …. the literal ‘green shoots’ in that much over-used phrase.

For those who have visited recently, you’ll know that we have pots of growing bulbs (handy if you never got round to planting the bulbs you bought last Autumn) including narcissi, scilla, English bluebells, muscari, tulips and more.

The pale lemon yellow of the woodland primroses (primula vulgaris) is always evocative – a nostalgic reminder of childhood springs, when the banks of the roadside near our home were covered in them - but if you want more colour we have primula wanda, pansies and viola in a range of colours from burnt orange through cerise pink to darkest purple and brightest yellow.

The first Italian delivery of the year has arrived, and holds much promise for the weeks to come … big fat flower buds on the Camellias, ornamental cherries covered in bud, and Magnolias also covered in furry flower buds ready to burst as soon as they get permission to do so.

A selection of David Austin roses – both shrub and climbers – are in and ready to plant now. This is the perfect time to plant them, just as they start to put on growth.

Growing your own fruit, vegetables and herbs is one of the most satisfying forms of gardening I can think of, but often customers say they don’t think they have room to attempt to do so. Wrong! Most of the fruit tree stock we have has been grafted onto dwarf or semi-dwarf root-stock, meaning it will never grow beyond a certain size, so there is room even in the tiniest garden for a tree. (I have the most fantastic apple tree in my (very modestly sized) garden and wouldn’t be without it. The winter skeleton is lovely, the spring blossom absolutely gorgeous, and then the welcome end benefit of delicious fruit too.) But even if you don’t want a tree, what about some soft fruit? We have gooseberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, blackberries, loganberries and, of course, strawberries.

If you’ve never attempted to ‘grow your own before’, fear not! We have everything you need to get started, and we’re always happy to give you advice and guidance too.

We have:

• Seeds (flower, vegetable and herb), seed potatoes, garlic and onion sets and seed compost
• Propagators, seed trays, labels, twine and other sundries
• Gloves, trowels, spades and tools

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. It is also an excellent mulch (as Sally explains later).

We have a fertilizer, pesticide or fungicide for all your requirements. 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 try this range if you haven’t done so before … we’re sure you’ll love them as much as we do. Strong plants need less attention and are more able to fight off pests and disease (just as children with strong immune systems do) so this is always money well spent.

We all look forward to seeing you at the garden centre very soon, and I’m sure you will welcome the new members of staff we have starting with us this month.

Warm regards

Karen

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

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

Garden jobs for March

Oh it’s been so cold! But aconites, snowdrops, crocus and some beautifully scented winter shrubs have lifted my spirits. Hopefully we can look forward to a bumper spring and summer. Here are some ideas to get you started in the garden this month.

1. Prepare the garden for the year with these 2 jobs

• Grass will start growing this month. Set the blades at a high level for the first few cuts and ensure you dispose of all clippings so that air, rain and fertiliser can penetrate the newly cut turf. Repair any bare patches and tidy the edges to get off to a good start. Apply a layer of lawn dressing or a spring fertiliser to nourish and rejuvenate your lawn.
• Mulch! A layer of mulch can make the garden look tidy and save on weeding later in the year, and a 5cm layer on top of the soil will help moisture retention. Good mulch such as well rotted horse manure will gradually be worked down into the soil and improve the soil structure, resulting in better plants if you get into this habit every year. Two things to note – weed before you put the mulch down and make sure that the soil is warm and moist. One more thing - a mulch of bark around precious plants may help to deter slugs and snails.

2. Growing vegetables, herbs and flowers from seed

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. Always read the notes on the seed pack to understand what’s needed, but here are some general points:

• To sow seed indoors, use a propagator, heated if necessary, or a seed tray with a cover. Use seed compost and lighten with vermiculite or perlite.
• Always label trays and pots of seedlings – they all look the same sometimes!
• 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.
• 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.

3. Planting

• 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.

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:

• 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.

• After pruning always apply a granular fertiliser or mulch around the base of the plant.

5. Moving plants

• When the weather is a bit warmer this month, you can move evergreen shrubs. Take as big a rootball as possible, and plant well. Keep it watered and protect from late frosts for the best results.
• Some herbaceous perennials can be lifted, divided and replanted.

6. 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.

7. General tidying and maintenance

• 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 it.
• 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 will bulk up the bulb ready 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!

8. Pests and disease

• 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.

9. 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.

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

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

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