Garden Thoughts

Although the temperature is cooling and the nights are much longer and many of your plants are going dormant there is still a lot to do in the garden during November.  Autumn planting of everything from Tulip bulbs to Pansies and Wallflowers is well under way and the moisture in the soil makes it a great time to plant trees, shrubs and conifers.  In my garden I have colourful fruiting crab apples and winter flowering shrubs such as sweetly scented Mahonias and the variegated evergreen leaves of Spotted Laurels and Hollys.

November is also a great time for pruning many plants before winter arrives including Apple and Pear trees while many herbaceous perennials benefit from being lifted, divided and replanted.  Also, there's still time to treat your lawn for moss as long as the temperature is not too low and there's adequate moisture in the ground.

Plants requiring winter protection should have been taken to a cold greenhouse, cold frame or covered in horticultural fleece by now dependent on their requirements.  These include Agapanthus, Fuchsias, Cannas, Bananas, Tree Ferns and Citrus.  If brought indoors most will prefer a light position with just enough moisture to keep them dormant.  Too high a temperature will start them back into growth.

But it is not just the plants that require our care during the winter.  Spare a thought for the wildlife in our gardens too.  Habitats for birds can be improved with all those aforementioned trees and shrubs you could be planting, not just for somewhere to roost, but also for protection from predators.  Small garden trees such as Sorbus and Malus Fruitilciuos and Red Sentinal with a mass of little branches are favoured by small birds such as Blue Tits, Wrens and Robins where they can keep out of reach from bigger birds of prey especially. The fruits and berries of these as well as shrubs such as Pyracantha, Cotoneaster and Holly will provide them with a hearty winter treat while Ligustrum and evergreen Viburnum Tinus are also good for roosting.

Birds like to be fed all year round but a few bird feeders or a bird table filled up daily with fresh food is particularly beneficial to them from now and through the next 6 months up until after baby birds have fledged from their nests.  I have been feeding all year long with premium fat balls in a no mess feeder which attracts a family of Blue Tits from my nearby woodland and the impressive Long Tailed Tit.  Birds prefer various feed blends including peanuts, sunflower seeds, hemp, pulses and more.  This will greatly increase the diversity of feathered friends that you will see.

And it's not just birds.  Frogs and Toads love not only a pond but pots laid sideways and log piles from your pruned trees which are perfect places to hide or hibernate.  Hedgehogs are on the decline nationally so why not install a Hedgehog house and leave parts of your lawn and borders overgrown for them.  Also ask your adjoining neighbours to make a Hedgehog highway between your gardens so that these friendly creatures can move around freely.

Finally, don't leave out the insects.  For every one that damages our plants there are many more that help and protect.  Ladybirds are classic garden pest predators and without Bees and Hoverflies none of your flowers will be pollinated.  Old plant stalks and wooden window sills are common sleeping places for them and if you leave your shed window slightly open Moths, Tortoiseshell Butterflies and Lacewings may overwinter there too.  Bug hotels are all the rage and can be bought or simply made by tying together a bunch of bamboo canes and twigs with string.

Let's get gardening for the wildlife and ourselves in November.

When the daylight hours have really shortened and there is that special light we are in Autumn. The leaves are starting to change to more muted tones before they fall and there is a sense that everything in the garden is winding down for a good sleep. For gardeners it’s a special time as we prepare for another year of plant delights.

Planting in autumn allows more time for new roots to grow in warm soil so plants are less vulnerable to dry periods the following summer. The colder soil during the winter encourages flowering as soon as the weather warms up. Evergreens become particularly well established in autumn without the difficult fluctuations of spring weather and need less water to establish.

Autumn is also the time to plant all spring flowering bulbs like daffodils crocus and tulips and change the summer flowering bedding plants in our patio tubs to primroses winter pansies and violas. 

Towards the end of October is the best time to plant hedges and soft fruit which are usually available as bareroot plants, an economic way to buy them, when you are planting larger quantities.

It is a good time to take stock of what is actually providing that last burst of colour and interest to our gardens before winter sets in. Here are some additions you might like to include to increase the spectacle.

Two new varieties of the Smoke Bush Cotinus are a must. The pale orange new leaves of Cotinus Golden Lady in spring turn a gorgeous pure yellow in summer and then brilliant orange in autumn before leaf fall. It is a large shrub for the back of a border which is easy to grow bushy and drought tolerant. It is a good foil for Cotinus Lilla which is a compact form growing to 1m with rich purple leaves from spring to autumn when the foliage turns pink orange scarlet and red.

Another new variety is Weigela florida Sunn Fantasy. It has a very long flowering period from May to October with interesting colourful leaves variegated green cream and red that show good autumn colour before leaf fall. It is very easy to grow, compact and performs well in patio tubs if garden space is limited. It is drought resistant like many weigelas and loves sunny places.

Physocarpus All Black is another dramatic deciduous shrub with very dark purple black foliage and stems in summer. The leaves in autumn turn red orange and yellow giving an entirely different contrast to any surrounding plants in the border. It has pink flowers in May and June and will thrive in sun or part shade.

New introductions for Buddleias are the Humdinger series. They are compact semi evergreen shrubs more suitable for smaller gardens and patio tubs. The flowers appear in early summer as 20 to 30 cm long panicles and last well into autumn. All varieties are very easy to grow in a sunny place and are loved by Butterflies Moths and Bees. Buddleia Little Angel has long white flowers and silvery foliage while B. Candy Little Lila has beautiful pale lilac flowers.

Another exciting semi evergreen shrub with especial autumn interest is Abelia Kaleidoscope. In spring the leaves are yellow and green intensifying in colour throughout summer and turning bright orange red and purple in autumn. The flowers are pale pink and appear in summer lasting well into autumn. It grows to about 1m and likes a sheltered sunny place and compost rich soil.

All borders in the garden benefit from some evergreens which keep the colour going when other plants have lost their leaves. Choisya Sundance is an absolute favourite with bright golden waxy leaves that when crushed have a herby scent. It also has white flowers during summer which smell of orange blossom. Another variety Choisya Goldfinger has the same golden foliage which is finely cut with white flowers in late spring a beautiful contrast when planted near Berberis Darts Red Lady.

Two Pittosporums are worth a mention for prolonging the evergreen theme. Pittosporum Tom Thumb has purple leaves which darken as the weather gets colder. In spring the new leaf growth is bright apple green with small dark honey scented flowers. It is small compact easy to grow and very drought tolerant a good contrast to Lavender and other silver foliage evergreens. Pittosporum Silver Queen is a larger variety with silver variegated decorative foliage much sort by flower arrangers.

It is worth a visit to browse the plant collections at the Garden Centre at this time of year there are so many other possibilities I haven’t space to introduce them all.

As our summers extend the colour in our gardens needs to as well. Plants for the Indian summer reflect the alteration in the length of daylight hours but can retain the brilliant hues we expect from hotter climes. Some even bear the name.

Alstromeria Indian Summer reflects just that. It is an exotic looking strong growing perennial with coppery orange flowers that are ideal to brighten the garden in late summer. It flowers continuously from late July with new buds emerging all the time well into the autumn. A perfect choice for long lasting displays in pots or mixed borders. Protect the new growth in spring from slug damage like you would for Hostas but otherwise it is trouble free. They look lovely planted with Kniphofia, Echinacaea, Rudbeckia, Heleniums and Ornamental Grasses.

Tropical cannas have lush green or bronze foliage and brightly coloured flowers from cream yellow and orange to deepest red. They appear from midsummer until autumn. They thrive in moist soils in full sun, and look fantastic when grown in exotic ornamental displays in mixed borders or large containers, especially when planted with other exotic-looking plants, such as Alstromeria and Crocosmia. The huge purple veined leaves of Canna ‘Wyoming’ make a bold statement in any garden. In late summer warm apricot orange flowers with slightly frilled petals appear on long stalks above the foliage. Protect the rhizomes from frost in autumn with a thick layer of mulch or move the pots to a very sheltered place for winter.

Anemone Japonica is a charming hardy perennial for sun or shade flowering from August until late October. The pretty star shaped single or double flowers with yellow centres are produced in abundance in amazing shades of pink and white that open above attractive foliage. The “Fantasy” varieties are only 30cms tall and give a stunning display in patio pots or taller varieties like Anemone Queen Charlotte double pink or Honorable Jobert pure single white which are 1m are excellent for the mixed herbaceous border. Anemones are a great source of late nectar for pollinating insects.

Rudbeckia Sunbeckia Victoria, The Black Eyed Susan, is a short variety growing to about 50cms. It is upright with huge bright orange yellow daisy flowers with dark brown centres on strong sturdy stems. It will flower from the middle of august into autumn when grown in a sunny place in soil that drains well or in pots. It makes an excellent cut flower for the house. Other good large flowering varieties are Rudbeckia Butterscotch, Peacan Pie and Electric Shock.

Helenium Short and Snazzy another strong growing late flowering hardy herbaceous perennial has daisy like flowers with cone shaped centres which Bees, Butterflies and other pollinating insects adore. Plant it in full sun in soil that drains well. Another name for Helenium is “Sneeze Weed” In times gone by it was very popular when the leaves were dried and used as Snuff. It was believed it would rid the person using it of evil spirits.

 “Autumn would not be without the colour of Sedum Spectabilis “The Ice Plant” flowers. This traditional cottage garden perennial has graced our garden for centuries. It is an essential late summer source of nectar for bees and butterflies. Sedum flowers are held on big flat easily accessible flowers on which butterflies rest and bask in latsummer sunshine.  The Green buds appear from midsummer colouring to pink into autumn. The stems are thick and succulent with blue green fleshy leaves. It is essential to support this plant with a wire herbaceous frame to enjoy this long lasting feature of the mixed border as the flowers become heavy as they mature. Grow in a sunny position in soil that is not too rich, even verging on the malnourished. The succulent stems cope well with dry positions.

Leave the flowers on the plant after they fade and they will dry and catch those glistening, ephemeral hoar frosts.

August should be the hottest month in the year. The Garden is looking at its best and many fruits and vegetables are ready to harvest from The Patch.

Second Early Potatoes are ready to dig. They are good ‘salad potatoes’ which don’t disintegrate on cooking and work well in hot or cold salads. Charlotte and Maris Peer are also suitable for baking, mashing, frying and roasting. 

French and Runner Beans are cropping well this month so pick every couple of days to keep the plants producing flowers and more beans. Water plants at least 3 times per week and spray the flowers in the evening with water to ensure the beans set. Pick French Beans when thin and tender. You will only need to cook them for 4 minutes.

It is the main harvesting time for Courgettes. Keep cutting them with a sharp knife when they are the size of a banana and they will keep flowering and producing more fruit. If the leaves show powdery mildew the plant is stressed so remove the affected foliage immediately and water copiously. Feed with a high nitrogen liquid feed. Cougettes are such versatile vegetables. They are fantastic in Soufflees, with pasta in Courgette and Bacon Carbonnara, or rice in Tomato and Courgette Rissoto, ribboned in a Minted Salad, in Homemade Soup, fried as Fritters, spiralised and cooked as Noodles, stuffed with sausage and herbs or sliced long ways and barbecued.

A very easy vegetable to grow is Sweet Corn. Plant the young plants in blocks approximately 60cms apart at the beginning of June. The male flowers are at the top of the plant and pollinate the female flowers below to produce the cobs. Apply plenty of water to each plant to swell the cobs which are ready to harvest when the male flowers at the top go brown and the corn exudes a milky sap. Check often towards the end of the month to ensure the freshest sweetest cobs.

The early Onion varieties can be harvested when the “necks” naturally bend over. Lift and allow to completely dry before weaving them into plaits to store for winter. Seeds of Japanese Onion varieties can be sown at the end of August for fresh onions early next summer.

The “Veg Patch” will start to clear when you have picked the Peas and Broad Beans and dug the Early Potatoes.  There is though still time to plant seeds of Rocket for late salads, Pak Choi for stir fries, Spinach for all those vitamins and Turnips a great autumn root vegetable for soups and stews as the weather gets colder.

August is the month to prune Plum and Cherry Trees. Pruning at this time of year prevents the spores of the fungus disease Silver Leaf, which appear in autumn and winter, from entering any freshly cut surfaces. Silver Leaf will weaken the tree and cause affected branches to die.

Summer fruiting Raspberries will have been harvested by now so the old canes should be removed at ground level and the strong new canes loosely tied to the support. Feed the plants with chicken manure or fish blood and bone and water regularly. Remove any thin or damaged canes to promote strong growth for next season. Autumn fruiting varieties like Joan J and Autumn Bliss will start to fruit towards the end of August and carry on well into September. Keep watering these regularly so the berries become plump and harvest them when they are dark red.

Blackberries and Loganberries are ready to harvest in August. The new canes are also growing vigorously so select the strongest and tie onto the support for fruiting next year. These plants produce a lot of canes so it is important to only retain what you need to avoid overcrowding. Remove the old canes when the harvest is finished.

Blackcurrants will have finished fruiting so remove the fruiting stems and give the plants a good layer of rotted compost or manure to encourage new fruiting growth. Red currants should have the side stems cut back to 10cms from the main stem which encourages flower buds and therefore fruit next year.

The Roses and Clematis have finished their first flowering. The Lupins, Delphiniums and Geraniums have been cut back to produce a second colourful show and so we need plants to carry on the dazzling display.

Hydrangea Paniculata Strawberry Blossom is a deciduous shrub which grows to 1m and produces long ice cream cone like flowers from late June until October. These open creamy white and pale pink blooms then develop strawberry red edges to the petals. A delightful addition to any mixed border preferably in dappled shade.

Rudbeckia Butterscotch Biscuit, Electric Shock, Orange and Pecan Pie are all new varieties of this brightly coloured daisy. They are very hardy, compact, love to be planted in full sun and flower continuously until late autumn. The flowers are yellow orange and red with chocolate brown centres. They are a magnet to bees and butterflies and give a good display if planted with Salvias, Penstemons and Ornamental Grasses.

Helenium Mariachi Siesta, Salsa and Fuego are compact plants with small daisy shaped flowers. They are hardy producing lots of claret red flowers with yellow markings rich in nectar well into autumn. The blooms make excellent cut flowers and attract many summer butterflies. They are ideal for smaller gardens, can be planted in patio tubs and are very disease resistant.

Salvia Hot Lips, Pink Lips and Amethyst Lips are charming neat growing perennials with unusual two tone half coloured flowers in red/white, pink/white and purple/white accordingly. The flowers give at least 5 months of summer colour attracting bees and butterflies with a bonus of blackcurrant scented leaves. These plants are very easy to grow.

Crocosmia or Monbretia are exotic plants that will thrive in even poor stony soils and tolerate drought. The broad sword-like leaves are architecturally attractive even before the arching flower stems emerge. The flowers appear in summer on wiry stems and last for many weeks. They also make good cut flowers. Noteworthy varieties are Walbertons Yellow, bright orange yellow, Walbertons Bright Eyes, very free flowering orange with a red centre and Miss Scarlet dazzling scarlet. Planted with Ornamental Grasses, Helleniums, and Rudbeckias Crocosmias give a stunning display.

Astrantia Roma is a great favourite and was first seen in paintings from 16^thcentuary so has certainly stood the test of time. It is a pretty cottage garden plant with papery soft pink flowers that looks delightful planted with Ferns or Ornamental Grasses. It is quick growing and flowers continuously from June to September.

Begonia Tropical Sunset is a stunning plant for tubs or hanging baskets producing copious amounts of fluorescent apricot peach coloured flowers throughout summer. Plant in a sunny place where the serrated green leaves form mounds which the flowers drape over. This plant is very easy to grow.

Agastache Beelicious Purple is a very insect friendly plant a rich source of pollen and nectar much loved by bees and butterflies. It is a hardy perennial which appears each year and has purple flowers from July to September. The compact blue green evergreen leaves have a minty scent so plant along a path way so when the foliage is brushed the perfume is released. This plant is really easy to grow and will not be eaten by slugs rabbits or deer.

Salvia Roman Red is a hardy perennial and a unique new variety with deep ruby red flowers on tall black elegant stems. The foliage is aniseed scented. Butterflies love fluttering around these flowers from July until autumn. This beautiful plant was awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Finally and my favourite summer flowering perennial is Agapanthus Midnight Star. This beautiful African lily produces rich blue round heads of trumpet shaped flowers which erupt from deep blue buds. They appear on 70cm tall strong upright stems from a whorl of strap-shaped leaves. This star performer will also grow well in large tubs on the patio.

Our tubs and hanging baskets are planted and starting to look really established so time to take a look at a few special treats to add to the summer garden. Stewart has been busy checking for gems that will enhance any planting scheme so here’s a few. There are a lot more to follow through the summer months.

Hardy perennial Pinks are delightful little evergreens that require very little maintenance. They are very suitable for our local alkaline clay soil at the front of a sunny border where they will flower endlessly from spring until autumn. The single or double flowers are loved by the pollinating insects in an amazing array of colour combinations with a distinct sweet clove scent. A vase of these flowers will perfume the entire house. Remove the flowers as they fade to promote continual flowering and feed with tomato food.

Stewart’s Choice is Dianthus Tequila Sunrise a compact variety with fantastically perfumed single soft orange pink flowers with buff centres and deep pink markings. It is excellent to grow in pots or window boxes and Dianthus Coconut Sundae a smaller variety with silvery green leaves and short stems. The double very perfumed pure white flowers have claret red centres. Both varieties are excellent

Osteospermums or the Cape Daisies have long lasting colourful blooms through the summer and into autumn. Some varieties are hardy enough to survive a British winter but should generally be treated as tender perennials like Geraniums. They are great container plants for a sunny patio and should be planted in John Innes Compost Number 2 or 3 with some grit added for free drainage. There is a great choice of varieties and colours the hardiest being the white or pink flower varieties. Feed with tomato food weekly and remove fading flowers to promote fresh buds.

Stewart’s choices are Oesteospermum Stardust which is upright with purple pink single daisy flowers and yellow centres. The flowers last a long time attracting butterflies and bees. Oesteospermum Lady Leitrim is a large single daisy with pink mauve tones on white. It is easy to care for and will survive most winters. Cut them back a bit in late autumn and again in March before the new growth appears when flowering sometimes starts as early as April and does not stop until November.

Hardy Fuchsias are another very long flowering sub shrub in an amazing range of colours from white pink red blue mauve and purple. They vary in size from Fuchsia Tom Thumb and Lady Thumb at 30cms, to grow in tubs, to Fuchsia Riccotonii with small purple and deep pink flowers at 1.2m for a shrub border. Fuchsias are ideal plants for shady places with compost enriched soil.

Stewart’s Choice is Lady Thumb a little gem which forms a neat and bushy mound laden with pink and white flowers from June to October. Perfect to grow it in pots on a shady patio it is one of the hardier fuchsias. Protect the roots with a generous layer of mulch in autumn or move potted plants to a sheltered position in the garden during the worst of the winter weather. Fuchsia Dollar Princess is Stewart’s second choice, a bushy variety with lots of ruffled double purple flowers with contrasting cerise pink sepals from summer into autumn. It holds an RHS award for its excellent garden performance. A lovely compact specimen for a patio container or planted at the front of mixed borders.

Stewart’s final choices are within the Dahlias which are tender herbaceous perennials that range in height from 20cms to 1.8m tall. They are sun loving plants that need lots of water, rich soil and feed but reward us by flowering nonstop from June to the first frost often now in December. The larger varieties all need support. The flowers are an amazing array of colour and form from tight pom poms to dinner plate size blooms and some with coloured foliage. A must exhibit for the Horticultural Show.

Stewart’s choices are Dahlia Amazone a stunning plant only 60cms tall with masses of pink to red flowers held high above its compact foliage. Excellent for the front of a sunny border or in pots the flowers just keep on coming from summer right through to the autumn frosts. Dahlia Bishop of York is a rare hardy Dahlia with very dark foliage that is a perfect foil to the bright yellow flowers. A late source of pollen for the bees.

To celebrate the 70 years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign “The Queen’s Green Canopy Initiative” is a concept inviting people in the UK to plant trees as a lasting legacy to honour The Queen’s leadership and service to the nation for the last 70 years.

The aim is to help the environment by planting trees during her Platinum Jubilee Year. Planting more trees is our most powerful weapon in the fight against climate change. Trees are the ultimate carbon capture and storage machines. Like great carbon sinks, woods and forests absorb atmospheric carbon and lock it up for centuries through photosynthesis. The entire woodland ecosystem plays a huge role in locking up carbon, including the living wood, roots, leaves, deadwood, surrounding soils and its associated vegetation.

The initiative will create a green legacy of its own, with every tree planted bringing benefits for people, wildlife and climate, now and for the future. The Queen and The Prince of Wales planted the first Jubilee tree, a Verdun Oak, in the grounds of Windsor Castle earlier this year. Verdun Oaks were first planted in the UK as memorials following World War I. The acorns were collected at the battlefield of Verdun and grown into young trees. The Prince of Wales describes tree planting as a “statement of hope and faith in the future”. The Queen has been planting trees since she acceded to the throne in 1952. During her reign she has planted more than 1,500 trees worldwide. If you do not have space to plant your own tree contribute to a local “ The Queen's Green Canopy” project to create a network of individual trees, avenues, copses and whole woodlands in honour of Our Queen.

We can also celebrate by using the national colours of the Union Jack. Red, White and Blue for the summer flower schemes in our tubs hanging baskets and borders. Unless you have already grown your plants from seed these are now ready to buy from the Garden Centre. May is when most risk of damaging early morning frost is very low so you can confidently plant with just one eye on early morning temperatures. If cold is forecast just cover with fleece the night before.
If you are reusing tubs and baskets from last year first empty completely, remove the drainage crocks, and moss and liners from baskets. Soak in a solution of 1 part household bleach and 9 parts water for 10mins then thoroughly rinse in clean water and allow to dry otherwise things get very messy especially if you have a little helper.

If you are planting tubs whether plastic, stone, reconstituted materials or old galvanised baths make sure there are drainage holes in the base and a good layer of drainage crock, even broken up polystyrene packing, before adding any compost. This avoids the compost compacting. The composts we recommend contain little or no peat (the ultimate carbon store) which has been replaced by coir and wood fibre substitutes, which are both waste products. Westland New Horizon which is completely peat free claims to now produce better root growth than most other composts. Terry and I are trialling it this year so I will report our findings at a later date. Meanwhile you can always rely on Jacks Magic.

The same composts can be used for planting hanging baskets. These can be lined with moss and synthetic moss type products but these should be replaced every year to avoid any carry over of pests and disease from a previous season. It is a good idea to include water retaining crystals and slow release feed after a couple of handfuls of compost have been added.

So which plants shall we select? Here are just a few possible combinations.
If you have lots of tubs or hanging baskets its effective to choose a variety like Petunias which come in so many colours and plant a single colour per tub so one Red one White One Blue. Petunias are available as upright or trailing plants with single or double flowers which are often highly perfumed and like sunny patios. Verbena is more discreet and also available as upright and trailing varieties in red white and blue.

Other schemes for sunny aspects can include Red Geraniums, Senecio with silvery white foliage and White or Blue Lobelia all of which can be upright and trailing. If you are planting a shady place substitute Red Fuchsias for Geraniums and Impatien White Beacon for Senecio.

Sweet Pea Royal Mixed is a mix of Sweet Pea seeds in red white blue and royal purple. Plant directly into a large pot with an obelisk to support these highly perfumed much loved climbing cottage garden plants.

The Platinum Jubilee Rose has large double vibrant pink flowers with an incredibly strong sweet fragrance that will linger in the breeze. This compact shrub variety is ideal for beds and borders or even grown as low hedging. It is also good in large tubs especially on terraces and porches where the fabulous scent can be admired by everyone. We must find a place to plant this rose.

Raising plants from seed is one of the most satisfying aspects of gardening. I am always thrilled when I check the propagator to find the first seedlings appearing. Seeds are a low cost way of growing vegetables and flowers but select the plants to grow carefully. With the high energy costs today it is very expensive to heat propagators and greenhouses so I would avoid growing Geraniums Begonias and Impatiens which have a long growing time before they flower unless you are prepared to have them on your kitchen window sill from February until May. Buy ready grown plants instead. Tender species like Marigolds, Nicotiana, Tomatoes and Cucumbers however can be sown in April. They will germinate in a protected environment from 15 to 20 degrees and be ready to plant outside from the end of May when there are no more frosts. A warm place indoors can be useful to help germination and then the small plants can be moved to a greenhouse or protected place to grow.

Fill pots or seed trays with seed compost tap to settle and lightly press the surface to make it level and firm. Water the compost and allow the excess to drain. Space your seeds evenly over the compost. Avoid crowding.

Cover the seeds thinly with fine sieved compost or a layer of sterile vermiculite to just cover the seeds. Put the pots in a propagator or the clear lids on the trays to retain the moisture which is crucial to aid germination.

Put in a warm place and check regularly removing the covers occasionally to release any condensation. Move to a light place to prevent weak leggy growth as the seedlings start to emerge. Prick out the strongest seedlings and pot them individually where they can grow without competition. The seedlings should be watered regularly in order to avoid the compost drying out and after 4 weeks add a diluted liquid general fertiliser to promote strong and healthy growth.

Some vegetables don’t transplant well especially root vegetables like carrots, parsnips and beetroots so sow directly in the garden where they are going to grow. A good new variety of carrot is Carrot Nerac with long tapering sweet and crunchy roots it stores well during winter. When the soil is warm to the back of your hand simply rake level to a fine tilth and sow the seeds thinly. Cover with a thin layer of fine soil and protect with fleece or wire cloches to stop the birds eating the young seedlings as they emerge.

Peas are another vegetable crop that should be sown directly where it is going to grow. Prepare a trench filled with good garden compost either homemade of bought in and plant directly into this. Plant a few hardy pot marigold seeds nearby to prevent Pea Moth, the maggot inside the pea shucks, laying its eggs. Broad Beans however are much more adaptable so sow some in small peat fibre pots in March to plant for a few young early beans and then directly on the Veg Patch in rows in April for the main crop.
French and Runner Beans benefit from being sown in April in peat fibre pots and planted in the Veg Patch at the end of May.

Seeds of Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts Leeks and Cauliflower germinate readily outdoors in small 1 cm deep drills. The plants should be transplanted to their growing positions when they are 10cms tall. Try a new Cauliflower De Purple. It has deep purple heads is sweet and buttery excellent in salads or lightly steamed to preserve the colour.

A lot of hardy flower annuals also benefit from being directly sown in the borders where they will flower. Simply rake the soil to a fine tilth and scatter the seed. Then cover with a layer of fine compost. Planting hardy annuals like Cosmos, Nasturtiums, Cornflowers, Annual Chrysanthemums and Rudbeckia can increase the colour in mixed and herbaceous borders during the summer months at very low cost. A couple of new varieties to try are Sunflower Cut Flower Mix and Poppy Black Swan. Or plant a wild flower patch by directly broadcasting seed in finely raked weed free soil.

Some seeds like Sweet Peas may require soaking overnight before you plant them. Check out a new variety Sweet Pea Primrose an unusual colour with gorgeous scent and lovely long stems. The seed companies provide excellent growing tips on the back of seed packets so make sure to check the information before sowing.

One of the great perks of growing your own plants and vegetables from seed is the fact that you’ll have so many to choose from even heritage varieties that can never be found as plants.

March the first month of spring and our gardens are waking from winter. The spring bulbs are in full bloom and early flowering shrubs and herbaceous are delighting us with their colour and scent.  Crocus, Daffodils, Narcissus and Tulips can be complemented with Snakes Head Fritillary, Dog Tooth Violets, Alliums and Anemone Blanda. Leave the bulbs undisturbed after flowering and they will reward us by increasing in numbers and vigour every year. Snowdrops however benefit if lifted and divided while in leaf to successfully increase their numbers.

As the weather gets warmer it is time to plant summer and autumn flowering bulbs and tubers like Dahlia, Gladioli and Lilies. These are best planted in pots and kept in a light frost free place to start growing until all risk of frost has gone before planting in the garden.  They are great showy garden plants that like sunny sheltered places. Lilies look fantastic in summer borders many are tall and often scented. They also make good patio plants in pots.

The early flowering herbaceous Pulmonaria and Brunnera associate well with spring flowering bulbs as does the perennial Wallflower Erysium and Euphorbia. We should not forget the mini perennials that we also call Alpines. Many are traditional cottage garden plants like Aubretia, Sedums and Armeria but a good addition is the perennial Viola Columbine, V. Etaine and V. Molly Sanderson. They flower their hearts out from March until November and are very easy to grow in the garden and in tubs.

It is the ideal time to add or completely replant borders with Shrubs Roses Climbers and Herbaceous plants. It allows the plants to establish before the drier summer weather when regular watering is vital. New varieties of Shrub roses look great in mixed borders and will flower from June to September. If you are adding new permanent plants think about their value to wildlife as well as the size structure and form. Buddleia and Hebes are great for butterflies while Philadelphus and Lavender are loved by bees. Evergreens make great bird habitat especially in winter if planted against a wall or fence. Do not collect the leaves shed by deciduous plants in autumn, these will provide cover for many Insects Newts and Frogs.

 March is a suitable time to prune many types of shrubs. Cornus the Dogwood that have given us brightly coloured lime green, cream, orange or bright red bare stems during the winter months should be cut back to almost ground level now so that we get another crop of stems with the brightly coloured bark next winter. Use the cut stems to support tall herbaceous plants.

In March shrubs that are grown permanently in pots should have the top 30cms of soil removed and replaced with fresh compost and a slow release general or ericaceous feed and then coloured chippings placed on top to reduce water loss in hot weather.

Planting trees is a brilliant way for reducing our carbon footprint. There is a tree for every garden no matter how large or small. Some can even grow in large pots and now is the ideal time to plant. It can be ornamental, evergreen, topiary or a fruit tree. Come and talk to Terry or Stewart who are very happy to advise you the best variety to grow depending on your soil and position.

With the higher light levels the Lawn should now start growing. When there is a dry period of a few days without overnight frosts give the grass a trim with the mower blades set high. It will probably still be too cool for grass seed to germinate but it is fine to lay turf. If you are repairing damaged areas dig a shallow area to accommodate the new turf. Sprinkle the soil with Growmore or Fish Blood and Bone, lay the turf and tread to firm. Keep watered. Treat any weeds with a lawn weed killer and feed the entire lawn with a good lawn feed to improve the root structure which helps the grass to grow stronger absorbing more water and resisting disease.

Many gardens have a shady spot somewhere according to the aspect they face. Shade can be created by nature, for example where light filters through the branches of a tall tree, while other patches may be from the shadows of a building or wall. Shady areas can be a welcome spot to sit on a hot day but need some consideration when planting by choosing plants that will thrive in these situations. The natural habitat of a plant tells you where it will grow successfully in your garden.

It is pointless battling to grow plants that naturally grow in sunny places in shady areas, they will always struggle. There are so many plants that prefer to grow in shade producing gorgeous flowers and lush growth.

There are of course degrees of shade. Partial or semi shade is a spot that enjoys three to six hours of sun at midsummer. Areas like this benefit from some sunlight for some of the day. Some good shrubs for this situation are Pieris Little Heath, a pretty compact little evergreen shrub with pink red new shoots and white pink flowers that smell like Lily of the Valley. It is an excellent plant to grow in a pot on a shady patio. Choisya Aztec Pearl is another taller evergreen with aromatic leaves and white orange scented flowers in spring. It will also grow well in a tub.  Spirea Firelight has amazing orange red young shoots in March that mature to yellow green leaves in summer. Before leaf fall in autumn they turn rich golden and red. Solomans Seal, Symphytum and Bleeding Heart are good perennial space fillers that give the lush growth effect.

Dappled shade areas are created where sunlight filters through from the branches of trees above. It is the best shade for gardening because the soil remains moist. Japanese Acers with the gorgeous coloured foliage that changes colour throughout the growing season thrive in such places. They associate well with the beautifully perfumed evergreen Daphne bholua. Hostas, Heucheras and Tiarellas give excellent ground cover with the distinctly coloured leaves and purple, pink and beige flowers in summer. Campanula Pyramidalis and Foxgloves are upright perennials flowering in early summer providing height to these areas.

Dry shade can be more challenging for plants especially where large trees suck the moisture from the soil. Sarcococca a little evergreen shrub that has white sweetly scented flowers in December, Aucuba  japonica Variegata and Euonymus fortunei Emerald Gaiety with striking bright cream and grey green variegated leaves are fantastic choices. Skimmia reevesiana with amazing bright red berries in autumn are also naturally found in forests and woods and need dry shady conditions to thrive. Fatsia japonica with its architectural leaves is another shrub that copes with little direct sunlight. Add Hellebores and early flowering bulbs like Snowdrops and Cyclamen for the carpet of colour in spring.

Deep shade is the area in permanent shadow from a building or a dense tree canopy above. This is where perennial plants like Pachysndra, Dryopteris Ferns, Symphytum, Liriope muscari and Euphorbia amygdalis with its lime green flowers from March to June really flourish. Holly J C Van Tol with its bright red winter berries loved by the birds and Mahonia japonica are hardy evergreen shrubby plants that will give form and structure.

There are some climbing and wall plants that will grow in shade. Sweetly scented Honeysuckle Rhubarb and Custard and Hydrangea paniculata with its gorgeous white summer flowers and Clematis Nellie Moser all grow well if planted with plenty of moisture retaining compost. Garrya elliptica is an evergreen with amazing long silvery catkins from December to March,  Chaenomeles Geisha Girl with lovely salmon pink flowers in spring followed by perfumed Quince fruits and Fuchsia Lady Boothby with purple and pink flowers from June to November.

Success in the shade, as in any area of the garden, depends on selecting the plants that grow happily in those conditions. Hopefully you can find some plants here to make your shady areas interesting.

 January is the middle of our winter but it is actually the start of the gardening season. It is often the coldest month of the year but we can still enjoy bright sunny days which inspire We Gardeners to start all over again. As the days continue to lengthen nature wakes from its winter sleep and plants start to grow new buds and shoots and the bulbs begin to appear. The first Snowdrops and Aconites really do lift the spirits. Enjoy the fresh air on dry sunny days while tidying and assessing where to start.

As long as there is no frost or snow on the soil a little energetic digging on the Veg patch and applying homemade compost prepares the soil for planting in March and April. It’s a good time to mulch the asparagus bed and dig trenches for sowing Peas and Beans later. Fill the trenches with rotted garden compost or farmyard manure.

Visit the Garden Centre now for the best selection of seed potatoes onions shallots and garlic. Seed potatoes can then be spaced in trays in a cool frost free light place to chit. Onions garlic and shallots are ready to plant at the end of February. Chillies should also be planted now in a heated propagator or in the airing cupboard, do remember to check for germination which can take a long time. Peas Broad Beans Asparagus and Sweet Peas can also be sown this month.

 It is the right time of year to prune Apple and Pear trees but avoid this job if frost is threatened. An open branch structure allows for good pollination reduces disease and allows sunlight to reach the fruit when ripening. Remove damaged diseased or crossing branches establishing a framework of 4 to 5 main branches. Shorten last year’s growth on the main stems to one third to an outward facing bud leaving some side shoots to produce fruiting buds next year. Secure grease bands to control migrating insects.

Prune established fruit bushes by removing old fruiting stems and leaving an open branch structure for Gooseberries, Red and Black currants and Blue and Hybrid berries. Autumn fruiting raspberries should be cut back to ground level while removing last year’s fruiting stems from summer fruiting varieties and tying new canes to the support structure. Put a thick layer of garden mulch around the base of raspberry canes.

A forcing pot covering a clump of Rhubarb will give you luscious sweet stems in March.

Cover Nectarine and Peach trees to stop the rain causing Peach Leaf Curl disease which will severely reduce your crop and looks very unsightly. Pot grown trees should be moved to the protection of a building for the winter months. Do not prune Plums Cherries Peaches or Nectarines at this time of year. It encourages a whole range of fungus problems.

Pruning Wisteria now by reducing summer side shoots to 2 or 3 buds produces lots more flowers and maintains the shape of the plant. Cutting Honeysuckle back really hard removes the often overgrown tangled mass and encourages strong healthy new growth.

Hellebores, Christmas Roses, are really coming into flower and will remain so for several months. It is worth removing some of the foliage, especially if marked or damaged, to expose the beautiful flowers. There are now so many glorious varieties to choose every garden benefits from growing this plant for its subtle winter colour. It is quite one of my favourites.

If you did not lift corms bulbs or tubers like Dahlias, Canna and Calla Lilies and Agapanthus cover with a thick layer of mulch to protect from frost damage.

This is also the worst month for our garden birds. If we look after them now they will repay us in the warmer months by eating a lot of our garden pests. They have already taken most of the late bugs seeds and berries so it’s time to daily supplement their food and supply water. Fat snacks are a great source of energy and should be hung in feeders free from plastic netting that can entangle the feet of smaller birds. Sunflower seed hearts are another great favourite as well as peanuts. Hanging feeders where the activity can be constantly watched from my kitchen window is for me a great joy.

This month is also a great time to visit the Garden Centre to see what other plants you could grow to add colour and interest at this time of year.

In the depths of winter there are still some treasures to be found to brighten the dull grey landscape in our gardens. The evergreen backcloth is vital to give structure and form but there are also some flower and berry delights.

Viburnum Lilla Rose is an evergreen that produces creamy pink buds in late autumn which open to fragrant cream white flowers from December to spring. It is a valuable winter plant for sun or shade and a useful source of nectar for pollinating insects. It is easy to grow with low maintenance and is equally good in a tub, grown as a clipped hedge or associated with variegated Euonymus with crocus snowdrops or dwarf Narcissus planted underneath.

Cotoneaster Microphyllus is another ground covering evergreen with bright orange red berries from autumn throughout winter to spring. It is a great source of food in December and January for Blackbirds, Thrushes, Redstarts and Fieldfares. The herring bone fan shaped branches are best displayed when it is grown against a wall or fence. Grow in a sunny place with Lavender or Christmas Box planted at the base.

The variegated evergreens with their bright shiny leaves are really colourful additions. Eleagnus Gilt Edge whose bright golden leaf margins will lighten any winter border makes a good grouping with Choisya Ternata, Physocarpus diabolo and Brachyglottis Silver Waves. It can also be grown in a tub and trained as a small standard tree. It is hardy and easy to grow with white flowers in summer and red berries in autumn.

Another shrub with brightly coloured leaves is Holly, Ilex Madame Briot or Ilex altaclerensis Lawsoniana are good examples. Both varieties will produce pillar box red berries if pollinated by a male type and both also have bright yellow leaf margins. They are versatile and can be grown as hedges or trained as a standard to grow in a tub. The foliage makes lovely Christmas decorations and the birds of course enjoy the berries.

Mahonia Winter Sun is a quick growing evergreen with gorgeous brilliant yellow upright flowers that are richly perfumed from November until March. An architectural plant for sun or dappled shade which makes a lovely grouping with Hellebores, evergreen Ferns and Brunnera, the variegated perennial Forget me not.

Hamamelis Arnold Promise, Witch Hazel is a fascinating plant that bears bright yellow orange spidery flowers on bear stems from December to April. It is a hardy plant and grows well in a large pot in ericaceous compost. Feed with a sequestered iron. The autumn foliage colour is vibrant and looks dramatic if planted with white stemmed Birch and coloured bark Cornus under planted with Christmas Roses.

Winter flowering Clematis is one of the few climbing plants in flower at this time of year. They need a sheltered place probably against a wall or fence with the support of wires or trellis. They can also be allowed to wander over other shrubs or even as ground cover. If grown in a large pot with an obelisk support this must be put in a sheltered place protected from severe weather. They are a great source of winter nectar for bumble bees. Clematis Winter Beauty is evergreen with small creamy nodding flowers from October to February, Clematis Balearica also has cream flowers with maroon markings on the inside of the petals followed by fluffy seed heads which are great when sprayed gold for Christmas decoration.

The Christmas Rose, Helleborus Christmas Carol, is a truly Christmas flowering plant. The glistening pure white waxy looking single flowers have lemon yellow stamens from December to March. They gradually turn pinkish with age and are a welcome source of nectar for the pollinating insects. It can be grown in a pot and brought indoors along with the Christmas Tree from mid December for the Christmas period but must be hardened off in a sheltered cool place before returning to the garden afterwards. The Snow Rose is a cross between Helleborus Niger and H. Corsican. It is very hardy and produces lots of flowers from December to March. Some good varieties are H. Mahagon Snow, creamy pink, H. Ice and Snow pure white and the amazing H. Barola which is garnet red.

So here are some useful additions to the winter garden. These brave plants all put on a great show in spite of our grey cold winter days.