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General

  • Continue to plant vegetables directly into the ground and under glass for a succession of crops.
     
  • Cut back hardy fuchsias to just above soil level as strong new basal growth appears.
     
  • Sow seeds of tender bedding plants in a heated propagator or in trays on a warm windowsill.
     
  • Plant perennial herbs such as marjoram, mint, rosemary and sage.
     
  • Lift and divide congested clumps of perennials.
     
  • Plant out bulbs grown for indoor use which have finished flowering.
     
  • Mow the lawn weekly or more often if necessary; frequent mowing encourages dense growth.
     
  • Remove winter protection from containers when the risk of hard frost has gone, and top-dress or replant overgrown or pot-bound plants adding a slow-release fertiliser.
     
  • Apply a spring fertiliser to established lawns once they are actively growing and cut grass when it is about 8 cm (3 in) high.
     
  • Hoe, mulch beds and borders and be on the lookout for all pests.
     
  • Mulch while the soil is moist to reduce the need for watering and to keep down weeds.
     
  • Prune deciduous spring-flowering shrubs over three years old as they finish flowering.
     
  • Stake border plants to provide support as they grow.
     
  • Feed seedlings and young plants which are growing poorly or have pale, yellowing foliage.
     
  • Start to cut lawns with nuturalised bulbs; make the first cut high.

    Greenhouse

    • Sow seeds:-
      • runner beans
      • tomatoes
      • sweetcorn, marrows, squashes and cucumbers.
      • bedding plants such as African marigolds, petunias, lobelia and antirrhinums.
      • begonias and pelargoniums.
      • quick-growing perennials.
         
    • Organise shading for the greenhouse using blinds, shading nets or a shading wash.
       
    • Ventilate cold frames and the greenhouse whenever possible to encourage sturdy plant growth.
       
    • Water and feed plants in the greenhouse regularly.

    Vegetable Garden

    • Sow french and runner beans, cauliflowers, summer broccoli, cucumbers, lettuce, oriental greens, cress, chicory, spinach, beets, cabbages and salsify.
       
    • Erect supports for climbing beans.
       
    • Plant out celery and celeriac, lettuce and runner beans that have been raised inside.
       
    • Harden off aubergines, courgettes, marrows, peppers, pumpkins and tomatoes grown from seed before planting outside.
       
    • In warmer parts of the country you can transplant sweetcorn, tomatoes and peppers outside, but harden off the plants first.
       
    • Cover germinating carrots with anti-carrot-fly netting.
       

    Flower Garden

    • Sow fast-maturing and late-flowering annuals directly into their flowering position.
       
    • Move overwintered hardy annuals to their final flowering position.
       
    • Harden off hanging baskets and windowboxes ready to put in position outdoors when all danger of frost is over.
       
    • Plant both dormant dahlia tubers and young plants.
       
    • Plant out hardened off annuals when all danger of frost is over.
       
    • Create a summer display in a container
       
    • Remove faded flowers from daffodils, hyacinths and tulips.
       
    • Take cuttings from summer-flowering clematis.
       
    • Plant out annual climbers.
       
    • Begin feeding plants in containers and continue through the summer.
       
    • Sow sweet peas directly into their flowering position.

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    (c) Compiled by B V & T M Wood.

     

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