The Gardener's Almanac

Overview ;

A busy month in prospect providing the weather is such, that it allows you the gardener, to do much more outdoors,

 

Again it must be said; Only carry out the following tasks if condititions are favourable.

 

Week No. 14 - 2nd to 8th

 

• Prune Abelia, Camellia, Caryopteris, Clerodendrum, and Garrya, if necessary

 

• Cut back Caryopteris, Penstemon.

 

• Plant out Abelia, Cassiope, Lathyrus / Sweet Peas, Laurus noblis (Bay) Leontopodium, Magnolia, Pieris, and Wisteria if conditions allow.

 

• Layer Calluna / Heathers.

 

• Divide Achillea, Cymbidium / Orchids, Delphiniums, Eryngium, Ferns, Gloxinia, Lupin, Osteospermum, Physostegia, and Sedum.

 

• Give Colchicums a high nitrogen feed.

 

• Mulch Polygonatum, and Physostegia.

 

Week No. 15 - 9th to 15th

 

• Apply a mulch around Althaea, and Camellia.

 

• Remove winter protection from Ferns if conditions allow.

 

• Feed Azaleas, Ferns, and Hemerocallis,

 

• Divide Gerbera, Heuchera, Hostas, and Incarvillea if conditions allow.

 

• Plant out Dierama if not done previously.

 

• Cut out damaged Dierama leaves and flower stems if required.

 

• Prune Hedera.

 

• Prepare bed for Gladioli.

 

Week No. 16 - 16th to 22nd

 

• Sow Alyssum seed insitu if soil conditions allow.

 

• If conditions allow; plant out Buddlea, Canna, Crocosmia, Eleagnes, Garrya, Meconopsis, and Physalis.

 

• Lift and divide established Chionodoxa, Crocus, Physalis, and Sidalcea plants and replant the separated pieces immediately.

 

• Collect Crocus and Chionodoxa seeds if required.

 

• Cut back any frost damaged Choisya shoots.

 

• Cut back / prune Azalea, Cornus, Lavender, Magnolia, Mahonia, and Nymphaea.

 

• Stop ( remove tip) established Dianthus chinensis,

 

• Top dress containerised roses.

 

• Similarly; Top dress flower beds with a general fertiliser in readiness for planting out.

 

• Mulch Heuchera, Magnolia, Paeony, and Pieris,

 

• Commence feeding Wisteria,

 

Week No. 17 - 23rd to 29th

 

• Once the flowers on spring bulbs have faded,deadhead them to prevent them wasting energy producing seeds.

 

Note; Do not remove the foliage at this stage!

 

• After deadheading, sprinkle a granular fertiliser around the clumps or drench with a liquid fertiliser to give them a boost.

 

• If conditions allow, plant out Agapanthus, Anchusa, Bamboo, Cortaderia, and Physostegia.

 

• Divide Bamboo, Houtuynia, and Kniphofia, if required.

 

• Prune / Tidy up Eleagnes, Hydrangea,and Sedum if required.

 

• Feed Narcissus / Daffodil.

 

• Mulch Phlox paniculata,