Womens Thoughts

“A quiet revolution is changing the face of the traditional garden” according to the Daily Express, “gardeners are opting for the Good Life and planting more fruit and vegetables.”  Alan Titchmarsh quoted “that the shift is being driven by the credit crunch and a desire for fresh food.” Adam Pasco, Editor of the BBC Gardeners’ World magazine said “What better way to beat the credit crunch than by growing your own crops from seed, as well as saving money, growing your own is eco-friendly and great exercise.” 

Even my local garden centre staff tells me that sale of seeds have trebled this year and they are sold out of onion sets.

Your choice of vegetable seeds (tomatoes, courgettes, peas, salad leaves, butternut squash, to name but a few) should be lying in moist compost in seed trays/pots/loo roll holders sitting  either in the green house/cold frame or on a windowsill indoors, encouraging them to sprout. (It’s never too late)

Rake over your vegetable plot or raised beds, allowing the soil to gradually warm up, at the same time eradicate any weeds.

Use part of your compost as mulch around plants to deter more weeds. Use the rest for lining your potato trenches; allowing just a small amount for peas and beans. An area planned for root crops, beetroot, carrots, parsnips and turnips are best left without compost as they are inclined to fork and grow lush green tops at the expense of decent roots.

Plan crop rotation in your vegetable section, to reduce a build up of pests and diseases, hence, one section for courgettes, tomatoes, lettuce and early potatoes, followed by leeks. The second section - consider root crops as afore mentioned. Peas and beans can fit in either. The third section could be used for cabbage, cauliflowers, broccoli and kale.

 Spring bulbs are in full flower and what an encouraging sight – to know that warmer weather is hereNow is the time to prune Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) and the last chance to prune fruit bushes before the flower buds burst open. There is still time to plant fruit trees and bushes.

 It’s the perfect time to check out the pond. Remove excess Canadian Pondweed; scoop out Duckweed, every tiny leaf is an individual plant!!  To clarify the water, small straw bales (especially for ponds) will do the trick.  Check over the water pump and the filter, clear any debris. Remove unwanted frog spawn – I pour it by the bucket-full into the local stream to settle elsewhere.

 Divide herbaceous plants before they get into full growing mode, ensuring you replant them firmly into the soil, treading them in and watering well. If possible hoe any weeds, but beware of late spring bulbs, i.e., tulips, coming through the soil, they can be easily damaged.  

After all that, if you can find a few minutes, wander slowly  around your garden, with maybe a cuppa or a glass of wine, admiring your handiwork and you’ll be surprised how many more gardening  ideas will pop into your head for April/June/July …………….

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