The lime-greens that emerge this month are staggering: it must be the contrast to the barrenness of the winter months that make them so perfect. And suddenly everything is growing at pace.
Plants will need tying in, and weedy patches kept on top of. The rains have come but scratch beneath the surface and you will often find bone dry soil and some thirsty roots: another dry spell is predicted so keeping a watering can or hose handy will be a good idea for plants in their first growing season.
Late frosts can catch out those who are keen on bedding plants so keep an eye on the evening weather forecasts and a sheet or fleece readily available.
It is a joy to get out into the lighter days and there are plenty of tasks to do:
• Summer bedding in pots, planters and hanging baskets can be planted out in milder areas: watch out for late frosts in more northern counties and frost pockets.
• In cutting back spring flowering shrubs, you still have to be wary of nesting birds: check the plant thoroughly, especially if they back onto a wall. These shrubs include Choisya, Ribes and Chaenomoles.
• Spirea ‘Arguta’ and Kerria japinca can have one stem in three removed and the other stems shortened to a suitable side shoot.
• Viburnum tinus, Senecio, Ligustrum and other similar evergreens including Magnolias can be shaped and trimmed this month.
• Clematis montana is a vigorous climber that often needs to be kept in check: you can be pretty brutal with this climber after it has flowered.
• Cut back Pyracantha to the desired size but remember that you may have to wait a couple of years for the berries to appear in winter if you cut them too hard.
• Climbing and rambling roses will produce more flowers if you are able to tie the side shoots as close to the horizontal plane as possible: this restricts the flow of sap.
• Lawns can be fed, and it is not too late to add fertiliser to plants, especially new or struggling ones that may need additional strength.
• Try to stay on top of the weeds by using a hoe or laying matting and mulch.
• Be careful not to over-water new plants in gardens with heavy, clayey soils: they will wilt and die as air cannot get to the roots.
• Daffodils and other early spring bulbs can be lifted and divided at the end of the month as can water lilies.
Don’t be intimidated by the gardens in the glossy magazines and seemingly perfect TV gardens: there is as much value in a few well-loved members of your garden family than the millions spent on staged pieces. The real issue is not how much we look at them but how much we actually SEE them.
Small is beautiful in my book!