TAKING CARE OF YOUR GARDEN IN MAY

TAKING CARE OF YOUR GARDEN IN MAY

  • Plant out container-grown roses and shrubs.
  • Fork compost into flower beds to prepare soil for summer bedding.
  • Continue to plant dahlia and lily bulbs, come summer you will be glad you did!
  • Pick rhubarb stems as they develop, and water clumps with a liquid feed.
  • Sow seeds of the following crops this week if conditions are fine: beetroot, parsnips, turnips, onions, peas and mangetout, broad beans, lettuce and salad leaves, spinach, radish, rocket, pak choi, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts.
  • Thin out seedlings from earlier sowings.
  • Prune early-flowering clematis, such as Clematis Montana, immediately after flowering to control their size.
  • Keep newly planted trees and shrubs well watered until established.
  • Spray peaches and nectarines with fungicide to prevent an attack of peach leaf curl.
  • Place collars around the stems of brassicas to prevent an attack of cabbage root fly.
  • Collect hellebore seeds from ripe pods, and store in an envelope in the shed or sprinkle over prepared soil.
  • The vigorous growth of many herbaceous perennials and climbers often needs a helping hand to prevent them flopping onto neighbouring plants or over the edges of lawns and paths. Putting plant supports in place early means they even the most obvious ones can be hidden by the foliage in just a few weeks.
  • For clump-forming border plants such as Lupins, Rudbeckias, and Phlox, tie soft string around a circle of canes pushed in around each plant.

Give it a try… There’s nothing quite like home-grown lettuce to make a lunchtime sandwich into something special. Every week or 10 days I sow a small batch of assorted salad leaves in pots or trays, then cover the seeds lightly with compost. I keep the containers moist, to create a constant supply of fresh leaves. It’s easy to get started, with a ready-mixed packet of seed. Or better still; buy several packets of suitable crops, including a good range of lettuce colours and shapes, perhaps including some coriander, parley or mustard. Just mix the seeds together in a jar, and sow small batches at regular intervals. Don’t sow all at once or you will have a salad over load!

Growing under cover 
With the unseasonably harsh weather, it’s handy to have a poly tunnel or glasshouse so you can continue on  gardening.  If you’re planning to buy a new greenhouse or tunnel, make sure you get the very best from it by placing it in the right location in your garden. This can make all the difference between success and failure. As you would imagine good light is very important, so keep it away from the shading of large trees.  They will also leave you with a build up of green algae and leaves that can damage and block guttering.  Preparing the area is essential before building; choose a level site, avoiding a sloped area if possible.  If you’re planning on growing in the beds inside your tunnel or greenhouse, I would choose a spot with decent soil. Stony or rocky ground can make the construction process harder than it has to be. Ventilation is key to success, so leave plenty of space at the front and sides, especially when it comes to poly tunnels as opening the door is usually the only way to ventilate it.  If your garden is windy, position your greenhouse or poly tunnel side on to the prevailing wind so it blows up and over, rather than slamming into one end. It also might be worth creating a wind break by planting a hedge. Of course, it may be that there is only one possible position you can put it, but if you do have a choice it is worth while giving it the best possible position you can.

January 17, 2021 — omearas gardencentre
Tags: May
TIPS FOR GARDENING IN MAY

TIPS FOR GARDENING IN MAY

  • In your greenhouse or tunnel, you can sow seeds of parsley, chives, basil, dill, coriander, fennel, mint and sage.
  • Prune spring-flowering shrubs after flowering, such as forsythia and kerria.
  • Don’t allow your garden plants to exhaust their food reserves; act now for the very best results. Feed them generously to ensure that every garden plant performs to its full potential. If you can’t feed regularly, use a time saving, slow release formula that drip-feeds food over several months.
  • Sow sweetcorn in deep pots, raising strong plants to plant outside in June.
  • Tie in new shoots of blackberries and cane fruits to support wires.
  • Plant out container-grown roses and shrubs.
  • Keep newly planted trees and shrubs well watered until established.
  • Place collars around the stems of brassicas to prevent an attack of cabbage root fly.
  • Collect hellebore seeds from ripe pods, and store in an envelope in the shed or sprinkle over prepared soil.
  • Pinch off strawberry runners as soon as they develop, to stop them competing with developing fruit for nutrients.
  • Take swift action with emerging weeds, don’t let them become a problem.
  • Spread shredded bark mulches around established shrubs and trees to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Feed houseplants weekly from now until autumn.
  • Wash dust off the foliage of houseplants, and apply leaf shine product to leafy plants.

Give it a try… If you are looking for an easy-to-grow plant that produces masses of scented flowers then the night-scented stock is ideal, its open sprays of pink, mauve or purple flowers, which are 2cm (0.75in) across, are fragrant at night. Position plants around seating areas and along paths in the garden so their scent can be enjoyed in the evenings. Plant in large clumps to get the full impact of their scent. Available to buy as a plant now if you’re not seed sowing inclined. 

One of the most popular garden styles is what call the “cottage garden”.  The cottage garden traditionally was essentially a working garden in which to grow ornamental and edible crops. Fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers, such as peonies, delphiniums and aquilegia's, were all combined. The flowers ensured a thriving population of beneficial insects to aid pollination and encourage a bird and wildlife population all of which helped produce vigorous and healthy crops. The quaint, homespun appearance of a cottage can look quite simply. Don’t confuse this simplicity with a mix of every kind of plant. Give some thought to your colour combinations, shades of the same colour will add depth, a mix of blue, purple, light pinks with a hint of silver foliage will look cool. While vibrant reds, oranges, bright pinks and a little maroon are hot summer colours. One of the best things with a cottage garden scheme is that you can correct your mistakes easily because you are using perennials (that is plants that die back in winter and reappear every year). Herbaceous perennials can easily be moved in the dormant season. Experiment, place colours together if they work great, if not try again. It’s the surprises that make it fun.

January 17, 2021 — omearas gardencentre
Tags: May
IN YOUR GARDEN IN MAY

IN YOUR GARDEN IN MAY

It’s getting near the perfect time for spraying your lawn for weeds, but make sure you feed your lawn first.

Plant runner beans. Runner beans make one of the easiest and most rewarding summer crops. Planted now they'll grow away in the warmer soil and, with plenty of moisture at the roots, they'll quickly twine up their support to produce masses of succulent pods that taste great.

  • Plant up hanging baskets and leave them in a sheltered spot before hanging fully outside.
  • Plant out potted alliums in groups to add interest to flower beds.
  • Water clumps of tulips and spring bulbs with liquid feed.
  • Plant out container-grown roses and shrubs.
  • Keep newly planted trees and shrubs well watered until established.
  • Place collars around the stems of brassicas to prevent an attack of cabbage root fly.
  • Pinch off strawberry runners as soon as they develop, to stop them competing with developing fruit for nutrients.
  • Feed houseplants weekly from now until autumn.
  • Earth up soil around emerging potato shoots, which encourages higher yields.
  • Sow seeds of the following crops outside this week: radish, spring onions, coriander, parsley and chives.
  • Plant tender crops outside, covering them with cloches when night temperatures fall.
  • In your greenhouse or tunnel open all vents on warm days, but close again in the evening.
  • Hang yellow sticky traps over plants to catch whitefly and flying pests.
  • Plant marigolds beside tomatoes to help keep away aphids.

Give it a try.. for those wanting to be ultra Organic....for a bountiful garden with plenty of vegetables or a simply a long lasting window box, there's one golden rule ; feed your plants in summer, do this every two weeks especially growing in containers. The cheapest fertilizer is other plants; some are so nutritious that they can successfully feed others in the form of a tea! Comfrey is excellent, a deep-rooted hardy perennial which is high in potash, nitrogen and phosphate. To make comfrey tea, cut the leaves right to the ground (an established plant should yield four to five cuts a year) stuff them into a container with a tight lid and add water (roughly a carrier bag of leaves per 100 litres). Let it brew for at least ten days. It’s ready when it stinks so much you can't go near it (hence the lid). If you would like to try this now is the perfect time to sow comfrey seed.

Darling buds of May.  Of all our garden plants lilac is the one that nearly everyone can name. Its distinctive fragrance hits you first before you can even see it. Just one cut stem can scent a room. Lilacs delicate looking blooms comprise of star-like florets in shades from pure white through to mauves and rich purples. There is even a yellow variety. My favourites, however, are 'Madame Lemoine' and  ‘miss Ellen Wilmott' which are  beautiful white varieties, while  'Katherine Havemeyer' is a  very reliable lavender colour and 'Ludwig Spath' is a free-flowering purple. A sunny spot is best, but not in prime-position as they look dull in flower. They’re happiest in deep, fertile moisture retentive soil. Let them grow into a multi-stemmed bush with an open centre to discourage disease and be patient it can take up to three years for them to establish and reward you with full-size blooms. Take care as you deadhead, wait until two shoots form, below the old flower and don't cut these off or you'll miss next year's display.

January 17, 2021 — omearas gardencentre
Tags: May
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR YOUR GARDEN IN MAY

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR YOUR GARDEN IN MAY

  • Plant out dahlias into well-prepared soil that's been enriched with manure.
  • Clip box hedging and topiary.
  • Regularly tie in tall stems of delphiniums to supports to stop them flopping over.
  • Plant out crops being raised under glass, such as courgettes and tomatoes.
  • Sow seeds of salad leaves every two to three weeks to ensure a regular supply.
  • Sow seeds of dwarf beans and climbing beans alongside canes, plant the poached egg plant along side to help keep away the black fly that seems to love all manner of beans.
  • Check plants regularly for signs of pests.
  • Feed lawns now with a long lasting feed.
  • Cut down pulmonarias to just above soil level after flowering to encourage new foliage.
  • Feed fast-growing plants with a diluted liquid or powdered fertiliser.
  • Build simple log piles at the back of borders to provide shelter for frogs, toads, hedgehogs, beetles and other pest-eating wildlife.

Give it a try.. plant your vegetables now, they’ll grow! Now is the perfect time, the ground is heating up and the forecast is good. Most roots vegetables can still successfully be grown from seed. As a matter a fact you can still sow potatoes, there is an old saying “if you can see through an Ash tree, you can still sow potatoes”. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower etc. are best sown from plants at this stage rather than seed. If you haven’t planted vegetables before start small, prepare the ground well ie dig in some compost and some organic fertilizer and throughout just keep an eye out for slugs and hopefully dry spells. If you don’t have green fingers start off with salad leaves, spring onions, beetroot and radishes. Enjoy the salad and remember practice makes perfect.

It’s time to colour your patio. Summer is on the way, so it’s time to plant up your hanging baskets, window boxes and tubs. Basic principles for successful container planting are as follows; knowing which plants like sun or shade, whether they like wet or dry conditions and whether they grow upright or trail down. Once you have chosen the plants compatible to your situation your next consideration is colour combination. There are no strict rules in relation to this as you can put pink, red and orange in a hanging baskets and it will look great. The colour of the pot and the colour of your house should be taken into account, however, red geraniums against light coloured walls look very well, whereas yellow is quite good with a brick background. To get the best from your arrangements always choose good quality fresh plants as I find plants that may have dried out and look a bit sad, stay sad for a long time!  Always use good quality compost, never plant into last season’s compost as the results will not be good. Some summer bedding plants are easier to maintain than others, if your planting containers for a loved one's grave, you may not get to visit it every second day to water it, so choose plants with a low water requirement such as Geraniums, Alyssum, Cineria and any plant with a silvery grey foliage. You can also add water retaining crystals to the compost which reduces the need to water by up to 50%. I have come across a little name plant Heliotropium ‘Cherry Pie’ which makes the perfect centrepiece for containers, it’s royal blue , scented and goes with most colour schemes

January 17, 2021 — omearas gardencentre
Tags: May
PLANTS OF INTEREST

PLANTS OF INTEREST

Everybody knows lilac, and you will probably smell it before you see it. One sprig will fill a room with scent. To me it symbolises the beginning of summer. In the language of flowers, lilac symbolises first love and youthful innocence hence its popularity at weddings. Lilac comes in a variety of colours from pure white, myriad mauves through to rich carmine reds. The traditional lilacs tend to grow rather large for the modern garden, reaching a height of three to four meters. You can however seek out more compact varieties , such as Syringa prestoniae “Miss Japan” and “Miss Canada” and Syringa pinnatolia which have all the attributes of their larger cousins, but much more suitable for the modern garden. Lilac flowers in general may/june and can be rather dull for the rest of the year, but you can use them as a support for the very fine climber Tropaeolum speciosum (flame creeper) which will cover the bush in July/August with the most fantastic red flowers. Tropaeolum needs a little encouragement but is well worth the effort. For the moment enjoy your lilac. Lilac thrives in any well-drained fertile soil. It may take a number of years to flower. If pruning is necessary it should be done immediately after flowering. A handful of potash in July/ August will result in an abundance of colour the following season.

Veg of the week… broad beans

While all else is wilting or being eaten by slugs these little plants will flourish. Broad beans are the sweetest when perfectly fresh. They will cope in large pots but fare better with more space. Maybe choose a dwarf variety for pots. Blackfly are the main enemy. Pinch out the plants growing tips when in full flower . broad beans are very versatile, you can eat the whole pod when very young, the little beans when they start to become visible through the pod, or the tougher ones left at the end of the season are great in soups and stews (I’m told).

Unusual bits - How to start growing your Lunch (Peppers)

Unusual bits… not so unusual anymore, as most people I’m finding can now provide a protected environment, glasshouse or a tunnel or even one of the modern cold frames. To produce peppers you follow the same procedure as with tomatoes. The larger sweet peppers, yellow, red ,green and orange are the most popular, while their smaller hot, hot chilli sisters are gaining momentum as they can be quite easily grown on a windowsill. The plants are much smaller and easier to handle. Feed them with the osmo universal as the peppers develop. Leaving them too long on the vine however detracts from the flavour.

January 17, 2021 — omearas gardencentre
Tags: May
WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR GARDEN IN MAY

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR GARDEN IN MAY

  • Erect supports for climbing vegetables, using tall canes.
  • Watch out for signs of powdery mildew on fruit trees and bushes.
  • Ventilate your greenhouse or tunnel during the day but close vents in the evening.
  • Feed all your young plants with a solution of liquid fertilizer.
  • Now is the correct time to sow seeds outdoors, direct into the ground.

Plants of Interest

The thorn family

If you have been driving around the county this week, you have probably noticed how beautiful it’s looking now. The may bush is at its most fantastic. Let’s hope we preserve it as it takes maybe two generation to establish. Whitethorn makes an excellent stock proof hedge and is quite easy to grow. Might be a little drab on its own around your home, but if you mix in a little bit of beech, native holly, and the odd shrub rose you will have a natural easy to maintain beautiful hedge with interest all year round. If you want a really hardy tree for your garden plant the red thorn (Crataegus Paul Scarlet), the more obscure Crataegus Prunifolia with its white flowers followed by large red berries, is well worth seeking out. The whitethorn tree will suit town or country gardens as it is slow growing and responds well to pruning if necessary. They will grow in any well-drained soil, and will take exposure and wind in their stride. Under plant with bluebells when the time is right.

If you haven’t been out the country, do go for a drive this weekend and admire our whitethorn and beech which are looking their best.

Unusual bits - How to start growing your lunch (Asparagus)

Now is the time for asparagus but before you can easily these tasty spears you have a two to three-year wait, depending on whether you plant from seed or crowns. Seed should be sown now, but you can also buy one-year-old crowns in pots. Given the right location and soil type asparagus will produce a very tasty crop for twenty to twenty-five years, but you must get the following right. Asparagus require a deep, free draining weed free soil. Apply a light dressing of growmore fertilizer when planting and it will enjoy a good top dressing of well-rotted manure in winter. Old gardeners used to even give them a sprinkle of salt, but I wonder?

Asparagus does not like acid soils, so you may need to apply lime, make sure its garden lime though not building lime. Do not be tempted to cut the ferny foliage for flower arranging, as you reduce your crop for the following season. You must leave the crop till the third year before harvesting and there after all you need to do is keep them weed free, give them a feed in spring, cut them back in late autumn to just above ground level. Enjoy for years!

January 15, 2021 — omearasgardencentre Admin
Tags: May
THINGS YOU SHOULD BE DOING IN YOUR GARDEN IN LATE MAY?

THINGS YOU SHOULD BE DOING IN YOUR GARDEN IN LATE MAY?

  • Scatter granular fertiliser around the base of roses, shrubs, perennials and hedges, and water in thoroughly if rain does not fall over the next week
  • Thin out congested and overgrown pond plants
  • Look out for aphids on lupins, they are usually bigger than the normal greenfly
  • Push canes into pots of tall-growing lilies and tie their stems to them for support and put slug protection down
  • Check roses regularly for signs of pests, plant marigolds to deter aphids
  • Feed lawns now with a long lasting feed
  • Feed fast-growing plants with a diluted liquid or powdered fertiliser
  • Thin out seedlings from earlier sowings to their final spacings
  • Cover strawberries with netting to keep birds off the fruit
  • Sow seeds of radish, runner beans, calabrese, pak choi, mizuna, marrows, courgettes, chicory, kohl rabi, lettuce, marrows, swede, turnip and French beans
  • Pinch out side shoots on tomato stems
  • Train cucumbers and tomatoes to supports
  • Cut back the foliage of daffodils to clear beds for summer planting
  • Plant up summer baskets and containers now for summer colour

Give it a try...Adding scent to your garden. Scented climbers add impact to gardens, providing architectural value as well as heady perfume. The fragrance of many of these plants intensifies in the evenings so it's a good idea to grow them around your outdoor seating area. Scented climbers also provide interest at the edges of paths, where you can take in their aroma as you walk past them. Plant them where they can scramble over an arch or fence, or train them up a wall, where their scent can waft into your house. An old favourite of mine is the scent of honeysuckle on a midsummer evening.  In the countryside it scrambles through hedgerows, so is suited to growing in partial shade. The plants are ideal for training up a wall or trellis, and can also be grown up a tree or with a climbing rose. Covering the walls of many gardens at the moment, including our own in the garden centre is the wonderful Clematis Montana. It is a vigorous climber, so is ideal for covering unsightly walls and fences. It can also be trained up pergolas and trellis. Clematis Montana flowers from late spring to early summer, providing an early dose of fragrance, which is similar to the scent of almonds. Clematis Montana is one of the easiest Clematis to grow.  One of the most reliable rambling roses, 'Zephirine Drouhin' is known for its highly scented, deep rose-pink flowers, which it produces en masse. It grows well on a north-facing wall and can also be grown as a shrub. Another great climbing rose, 'New Dawn' produces sprays of fragrant, pale pink flowers from July to September. It's a lovely, repeat-flowering rose that flourishes in both the sun or in partial shade. A vigorous grower, it quickly covers a house or garden wall. Of course, we can’t talk about scent without Jasmine which produces delicately fragrant flowers from mid-summer to early autumn. A vigorous climber, it's best grown over a shed, porch or arch. It grows well with climbing roses, honeysuckle or clematis, but also looks good on its own. If you’re not looking for a perennial climber, sweet pea is excellent.  Annual sweet peas are the perfect scented climbers, providing a quick burst of colour and scent in the garden. Underplant with night scented stock for a sweet smelling combination. 

January 15, 2021 — omearasgardencentre Admin
Tags: May