March 2016 Newsletter

February has been such a bizarre mix of bitterly cold and balmily warm weather that I really don' t know what to expect in March! There are obvious signs of spring all around - I' ve noticed great fat buds on many trees and shrubs - and there' s plenty of growth from the ground too, with herbaceous perennials making an appearance. This always prompts me to get out and scatter some slug bait sparingly around the beds and borders to ensure that the first juicy plant growth isn' t immediately munched by dreaded slugs and snails. It pays dividends to take action early, and means you won' t need to use as many chemicals as the season progresses.

Spring' s arrival means weeds will also start making an appearance. Tackle these straight away, before they have a chance to take hold. In fact, it' s well worth getting out and having a good look at all the remedial jobs that might need doing before spring kicks in … hoe out weeds, tie in climbers, fix broken trellis, check fences, and generally clear up. Once this is all done, mulching will ensure your garden is neat and tidy before the flamboyance of the coming months.

Here, the centre is filling up nicely after the leaner months. The first of the year' s larger shrubs, climbers and trees from our Italian growers has arrived, and includes Wisteria, bamboos, and evergreen shrubs.

We' ve got a fabulous range of the ever popular Clematis Armandii in stock too. This evergreen clematis flowers very soon and the scent is gorgeous.

Fruit trees and the first of the soft fruit bushes are due in soon, as is the first tranche of David Austin roses. Hurray for Spring!

Now for a brief soap box moment …

Occasionally, I hear a comment from a customer along the lines of 'The plants are a bit expensive here' , and I' d like to address this.

We pride ourselves in supporting small UK growers, often family run: all of our vegetables, fruit and herbaceous perennials (as well as most of our shrubs, trees and climbers), are sourced from such growers. I feel passionate about supporting these nurseries, and have been very concerned over the last few years to see many small growers having to close their businesses. There are a number of reasons for this, but it' s mainly been due to the intense pressure they experience from competition in Europe, where plants are grown in massive greenhouses, manned by robots, and therefore sold at a price our UK growers can' t possibly compete with. Whilst I always endeavour to bring plants to you at the best possible price, I feel a strong moral responsibility to continue buying from the small UK independents, even if this means the price for the plants is higher. Apart from the ethical issue, the plants are almost always better quality, and more likely to thrive longer term in your garden. You may be able to find cheaper plants (especially if you buy from the likes of Homebase or B&Q, where they have the buying power to screw the prices down even further), but I hope you agree that paying a few pence more for better quality plants, grown in the UK by people who care, is money well spent.

So - some plant highlights …

• Spring bulbs are still aplenty. Tulips, muscari, fritillaria, scilla, lily of the valley and bluebell, to name but a few. So, if you forgot to plant bulbs last year, or need to add to those already planted, we can help. We' ve managed to get hold of a late batch of Cyclamen coum, which naturalise beautifully and will spread to create a pretty carpet of silvery variegated leaves with delicate flowers in a shady spot in your garden. I also managed to get a very good price on a late batch of snowdrops, so can offer them at £1 less per pot than they usually are.
• The Hellebores are simply glorious this year, in a good range of colours. There are some really chunky plants available in big pots for instant impact.
• The Euphorbias are looking wonderful. These are such useful plants to have and spread happily in the border. Just be aware that their sap can cause irritation, so always wear protective gloves when working with them.
• Some herbs are already in. Currently we have rosemary, thyme, lavender, mint, parsley, sage and chives, but the range will increase as the weather warms up.
• The Camellias are looking wonderful, all sporting flowers and full fat buds. This is a brilliant shrub if you have a darkish spot that needs a lift, but do remember to use ericaceous compost in the planting hole.
• Delightful flowering cherries, which will burst into a fanfare of blossom to herald in spring once the temperature rises, are now in stock.
• The Magnolias are really fabulous - both stellata and soulangeana varieties.

It' s still too early for ready-grown vegetable plants (though if it warms up, we should start getting them in towards the end of the month), but we have a good range of seeds ready to plant now - herbs, vegetables and flowers - along with all the equipment you need to successfully 'grow your own' , from propagators to plant labels to seed compost.

Robby has a new range of clay pots in from Poterie Goicoechea, a small family run business, started in 1960, in France. The family own the quarry the clay is excavated from, and it has a unique quality and colour. The pots and troughs are contemporary in design, with simple clean lines. They beautifully complement the pots and planters we already stock.

If you visit the vintage shed you'll see we' ve made some improvements. Rob and Alex have worked their socks off to install new shelving, and create coverage extending from the double doors, giving us more covered space to house the ever increasing range of pots, tools, sundries and houseplants!

A final note: in case you aren't already aware of it, we are hoping to start up a fresh produce market in West Dulwich. It would initially consist of about 6 - 8 stalls. We are in the early stages, and your input would be hugely appreciated. If you have a minute or two, please complete this online survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/B9L6P7V

I'll pass over to Sally now, but I hope that this finds you as eager to get out and start work on your garden as I am. The team and I look forward to welcoming you back at the garden centre very soon.

Warmest regards

Karen

PS In case of further cold snaps, we have fleece to protect your plants, and firewood to warm your cockles!

Garden jobs for
March 2016

March heralds the start of spring, although the season seems to have crept in early with so many bulbs flowering already, and buds appearing on trees and shrubs. Now is the time to get out into the garden again, preparing for the year ahead.

Two top jobs for this month

1. Choose some seeds to sow, whether you' re growing vegetables and herbs to enjoy in the kitchen, flowers to admire in the garden and cut for a vase, or helping children to grow their first sunflowers, beans or cress, now' s the time to start planning and sowing.

2. Clean up the garden after the recent winds, clean the paths, get rid of the weeds and get familiar with your outside space again.

1. General garden maintenance

• A layer of mulch will make the garden look tidy, will save on weeding later in the year, and will help moisture retention. Good organic mulch such as well rotted horse manure applied each year will gradually be worked down into the soil and improve the soil structure, resulting in better plants. Weed the ground and make sure that the soil is warm and moist before you put the mulch down.
• Deadhead daffodils and other spring bulbs as the flowers fade, but let the leaves die down as this is important for flower production next year. Drench the leaves with a foliar feed to bulk up the bulb ready for next year.
• Deadhead pansies and violas regularly and the show may well continue through spring into early summer.
• Get your hoe out on any early weeds, as they will take hold rapidly if not dealt with swiftly.
• Cut back ornamental grasses and other perennials left for winter interest to make room for new growth.
• Cut old leaves off hellebores to expose the flowers and eliminate disease such as leaf spot.
• Dig in horse manure or good compost to beds prior to planting, and as a top dressing.
• Improve drainage in heavy soils by digging in organic matter.
• As herbaceous perennials start to emerge, protect them from slugs and snails, and get plant supports in place before plants start reaching for the sky.
• Clear your pond of accumulated muck at the bottom in readiness for the frog fiesta!
• Make sure you have your essential range of tools for the season ahead.

2. Container gardening

• Container dwelling plants benefit from being repotted into a slightly bigger pot each year. If this isn' t feasible, scrape off the top layer and replace with fresh compost. Finish off with a mulch of fine horticultural grit to help deter slugs and snails.
• When gardening in containers, remember the pot needs at least one drainage hole, and some drainage material in the bottom. Fresh compost, slow release fertiliser, and water are essential, as well as the right light levels for the plants you are growing.

3. 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. The mulch will replace nutrients and help prevent the recurrence of blackspot.
• 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 can be 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.

4. Planting

• Shrubs, climbers, roses, herbaceous perennials - March is a good time to plant many things.
• 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.
• Note when planting potted roses that you may lose a lot of compost because the roots haven't filled the pot out yet. Don't worry, just use the loose compost in the planting hole.
• If ground is waterlogged, hold off planting new plants until it's dried out a bit. Keeping them in their pots for a while is fine.

5. Growing 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.
• Always label trays and pots of seedlings. Get the labels ready before you start, especially if sowing more than one type, to avoid muddling them up!
• Use seed compost, which is low in nutrients and a fine consistency. You may find it easier to sow directly into modules, or root trainers, especially for plants which don't like having their roots disturbed.
• A lot of seeds can be sown directly outside in March and April. Check the packs.
• Some herbs and vegetables can be grown in succession, to prolong the harvesting season. Spinach, salad crops, coriander can be sown several times, 2 or 3 weeks apart. Leave enough space to do this.

6. Fruit and vegetables

• Fruit trees and bushes will provide lots of tasty puddings, jams, snacks - raspberries, blackberries, black currants, gooseberries and blueberries can all be planted now, a lot of them in containers if you don' t have space in the garden. Fruit trees should have any flowers pinched out in the first year to divert the energy into creating a good root system instead of producing fruit.
• Prune autumn fruiting raspberry canes down to encourage new canes.
• Feed and mulch fruit trees and shrubs.

7. Lawns

• Get your lawnmower serviced before the grass starts going quickly and the servicing agents get too busy.
• Grass will begin 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.
• March is a good month to lay new turf.

8. Protect against frost

• We may 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.
• 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.

9. Pests and disease

• As Karen mentioned, young plant growth is vulnerable to slug and snail damage. Protect with a sparse scattering of slug pellets or bait, a line of coarse sand, copper rings or tape, or slug traps baited with beer. Early action pays dividends. A mulch of bark or strulch around precious plants may help to deter slugs and snails.
• Look out for lily beetle, vine weevil and other pests. 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.

10. Wildlife

• Birds are still in need of food and water. Keep the feeders full and a fresh supply of water, in view of the house so that you can enjoy looking at them.
• Birds will start looking for nest sites - be aware of them when pruning hedges and shrubs. Put up a nesting box if you don' t have one already.
• Encourage other wildlife into your garden to help manage the pest populations. For example, beetles and frogs eat slugs, so leave some wood for the beetles, and think about a small pond to encourage frogs.
• Plant bee and butterfly friendly plants to encourage pollinators into the garden in the coming months.

Let' s hope that March brings forth some gorgeous sunny spring days, and that you begin to enjoy time in the garden.

Warm wishes

Sally