| Gardening Notes for May 09 |
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| Thursday, 30 April 2009 | |
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May, the month of celebrations, blossoms, warm, sunny days and, if you are very lucky, the sounds of the cuckoo. Nature is suddenly gearing up for summer. Don’t be too hasty in planting out those tender annuals for this month is notorious for low night temperatures and early morning frosts, which can quickly put paid to un-hardened plants. Outdoors Where necessary, complete the lifting and drying of spring flowering bulbs. Prepare flower borders and beds ready for annuals and half-hardy perennials to be planted out at the end of the month or in early June. Feed flowering perennials. Plant out evergreens and tender perennials. Plant out evergreens and tender perennials such as choisia, clematis, hydrangea and hardy fuchsias. Remove growing tips of golden rod, helenium and michaelmas daisy to induce them to bush out.
Many areas of the flowerbeds will require regular weeding from now on. Mulching with spent mushroom compost, well rotted garden compost or bark chippings will save on this onerous task. Continue to mow lawns at regular intervals. Feed any ‘poorly’ lawns with a high nitrogen based fertiliser, well watered in. Check all species of rose plants for signs of aphid, blackspot or rust. Treat with a primocarb based insecticide and a systemic fungicide. During the latter part of the month, plant out autumn flowering chrysanthemums. Leave dahlias and non-hardy fuchsias until the threat of frosts has passed. Make sure that all fruit trees and bushes receive plenty of water to encourage fruit swell. Sow runner beans in pots or trays at the start of the month ready for planting out in early June. Plant beans direct into their growing position from mid May onwards. Prepare outdoor plots for courgettes, marrows, squashes and tomatoes. Plenty of well rotted compost or manure is desirable to give these plants a ‘hot bed’. Continue to plant peas, beans, carrots, beetroot and salad crops. Plant out brussel sprouts, autumn maturing cabbage and broccoli. Sow kale and sprouting seeds. Plant main crop potatoes and earth up any early varieties as they appear through the soil. Indoors Plant up tomatoes, cucumbers and melons using ring culture, grow bags or direct planting. Provide supports and tie in at regular intervals. Shade greenhouse to remove direct sunlight from plants. Pot on container grown plants such as geranium, pelargonium, fuchsia, gloxinia and begonias. Make up summer flowering hanging baskets. Move them outdoors on warm days, but continue to give them night-time protection. Harden off annual bedding plants in a similar manner. Happy Gardening Gordon Clapton |
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