JOBS TO DO IN THE SPRING GARDEN

Photo: New spring growth of a spireaea 'Goldflame'

At this time of the year there are so many pleasing things to do in the garden. I have a bit of a backlog of jobs that need doing, and if I went into detail I will probably be talking about April when autumn comes! Because of this I am just going to cover the basics of Jobs To Do this week and you can use your knowledge and inclination to fill in the spaces yourselves!

JOBS TO DO IN SPRING

Prune late flowering shrubs such as caryopteris, lavetera and buddleia davidii (butterfly bush). Buddleias and laveteras can nearly be reduced to ground level when you cut them back to promote fresh growth as this is where the flowers will be later in the season

Lightly prune mophead and lacecap hydrangeas. Take off the old flower heads and cut just above a strong pair of buds. Remove very spindly twigs and on old congested bushes take some of the oldest buds out at ground level.

If not already done, lift and divide snowdrops and daffodils when the flowers fade.

Plant and remove evergreen shrubs now. The weather is warming up and the roots are becoming active but the new shoots haven’t opened.

Evergreen hedges such as box, yew, leylandii, olearia and escallonia can be planted now. Pot grown evergreen hedging can really be planted all year round, but they will establish better when planted in spring or autumn. If you are thinking of planting bare rooted hedging then plant as soon as possible before the growing season kicks into full swing.

In a week or two, prune back grey and tender shrubs damaged by the frost and wind. The old leaves will be protecting the new growth. The plants in this category are ceanothus, phlomis, helychrysum, artemisia and salvia amongst others.

Cut out thin and crossing twigs of spiraea “Goldflame” and shorten back the main branches. This will give a better show of the coppery spring foliage.

Prune spring flowering shrubs such as forsythia, mahonia and winter honeysuckle after the flowers fade.

IN THE FLOWER GARDEN

Lift and divide large clumps of hostas before the leaves get big. Slice through the root ball with a spade leaving a few shoots on each piece. Replant the sections back at their original level.

Pick off faded flowers from pansies and daffs.

VEGGIE PLOT

Pull out weeds around trees, bushes and strawberries and mulch the ground.

Lift and divide clumps of chives and replant them in a sunny spot. Sow dill, parsley, chervril and fennel outdoors.

Sow broad beans in double rows or blocks outdoors. Protect the beans from rodents.

Mulch raspberry canes with organic compost or manure.

Put in bare rooted fruit bushes if you have bought them recently.

When choosing fruit trees, remember that apple, apricot and pear trees generally need two varieties to ensure pollination. If space is limited try being adventurous and plant peach or nectarine that will bear fruit on a single tree.

OTHER LITTLE JOBS

Clean glass and plastic in the greenhouse and cold frames to let the light in.

Look out for slugs and greenfly in the greenhouse and near new shoots and seedlings.

Repot houseplants if they are potbound. This will give them a good start for the growing season. (Spider plants throw out offshoots when they are potbound so leave them in a smaller pot and feed them well.)

Sow basil, cucumbers, aubergines and tomatoes under glass in a heated propagator.

If you are sprouting any flower seeds in a propagator them make sure that they are potted on as soon as they are large enough to handle. It is still very early for tender plants and mould (botrytis) can easily kill all the seedlings overnight. Space the seed out when sowing to let the air circulate around them.

Sow nemesia, petunias and marigolds in a propagator. Put sweet pea seeds into individual pots.

Take cuttings from fuchsias and potted up dahlias.

Begin to water cacti again very gradually from below and repot if needed.

FINALLY
Take a look at your garden and glance around to see if there was enough winter colour. If you have got a bit bored with the look of the place then consider adding come plants with interesting bark such as the dogwoods with their bright red and yellow shoots and the Coral Bark Maple tree. Put in plants that will give you winter berries for late colour and will also give the birds some food in the bleak months.

Hoticultural.