The Gardener's Almanac

Overview ;

Like last month; this is another busy month, with many varieties of plants needing propagating.

 

It should now be possible, to place some of your more hardy seedlings out in a coldframe to harden off.

Having said that; err on the side of safety, and keep your seedlings in a frost free environment if weather predictions are for continuous cold / freezing weather.

 

Note; Keep a piece of agro-fleece at hand to throw over your seedlings in the coldframe if an overnight frost is forecast.

 

 

Week No. 14 - 2nd to 8th

 

• Sow African Marigolds, Basil, Cabbage (summer), Calendula, Canterbury Bells, Centaurea, Cerinthe, Chrysanthemum annuals,

Clarkia, Coleus, Cosmos, Cytisus, French Marigolds, Godetia, Gunnera, Helianthus, Helleborus, Iberis,

Impatiens balsamina, Kniphofia, Lathyrus / Sweet Peas, Leeks, Loosestrife, Lunaria, Nerium, Onions (spring), Orache,

Phlox paniculata, Sidalcea, and Tagetes.

 

• Collect and sow Helleborus seeds.

 

• Prick out Alyssum, Antirrhinum, Arthropodium, Calabrese, Cauliflower (summer) Celery, Chilli, Convolvulus, Hebe, Limnanthes,

Melon, Mimosa, Pansy, Portulaca, Potentilla, Schizanthus, and Sweet Peppers if large enough to handle.

 

• Take Anacyclus, Delphinium, Ferns, Gloxinia, Lupin, Passiflora, and Physostegia cuttings.

 

• Layer Abelia, Calluna/Heathers,

 

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

 

• Propagate 'suckers' from various shrubs / trees.

 

• Harden off Lobelia, and Onions,

 

• Pot up Celosia, and Fuchsia.

 

• Commence Chrysanthemum 'stopping' programme.

 

 

Week No. 15 - 9th to 15th

 

• Sow Albizia, Briza, Celery, Coriander, Clerodendrum, Cytisus, French beans, Gaillardia, Gypsophila, Marjoram, Mimulus,

Nemophila, Nigella,Potato, Reseda, Rhubarb, and Verbascum seeds.

 

• Prick out African Marigolds, Actinidia, Agrostemma, Anomatheca, Aubretia, Auricula, Broad beans, Begonia, Brachycome,

Callistephus, Celery, Crepsis, Echinacea, Eschscholtzia, French Marigolds, Impatiens balsamina, Laurentia,

Mesembryanthemum, Nemesia, Nicotiana, Nolana, Papaver / Poppy, Physostegia, Rudbeckia, Tagetes, Thyme, and

Verbena seedlings if large enough to handle.

 

• Pot up Dahlia, and Surfinia, cuttings if rooted.

 

• Pot up Sweet potato slips immediately on receipt.

 

• Take Agrostemma, Bacopa, and Billbergia, cuttings.

 

• Divide Gerbera, Heuchera, and Hostas,

 

• Move Calabrese(early) Cauliflower (summer) seedlings into coldframe to harden off.

 

• Remove growing tip from Petunias.

 

• Sever layered Blackberry ,Loganberry, Tayberry cuttings.

 

• If weather conditions are suitable, divide established Aquilegia plants and replant the divisions immediately.

 

Week No. 16 - 16th to 22nd

 

• Sow Alyssum, Bidens, Borage, Cactus, Carrots, Chionodoxa, Chives, Crocus, Echium, Fatsia japonica, Gourds, Hesperis,

Lavatera, Lavender, Lupin, Oxalis, Parsley, Peas, Pumpkin, Squash, and Watermelon seed.

 

• Prick out Ageratum, Aquilegia, Basil, Cabbage(summer) ,Calendula, Canterbury Bells, Centaurea, Cerinthe,

Chrysanthemum annuals, Clarkia, Cosmos, Dianthus chinensis, Godetia, Helianthus, Iberis, Mimulus, Orache,

Phlox drummondii, and Tropaeolum / Nasturtium. if large enough to handle,

 

• Pot up Aloe offsets, Clerodendrum, Colutea, and Laurus noblis (Bay) cuttings.

 

• Take Alstroemeria, Azalea, Carnation, Lavender, Penstemon, and Physalis cuttings.

 

• If weather conditions are suitable, divide established Alstroemeria, Canna, Chionodoxa, Crocus, Geum, Physalis, and Sidalcea

plants and replant the divisions immediately.

 

• Collect Chionodoxa, and Crocus, seeds.

 

• Place Aubergines, Brussels Sprouts, Callistephus, Celery, Ipomea, and Pansy in coldframe to harden off.

 

Week No. 17 - 23rd to 29th

 

• Sow Beetroot, Cabbage (autumn), Catananche, Chicory, Coriander, Courgette, Cucumber, Endive, Freesia,

French beans, Kohl rabi, Linaria, Marrow, Pulmonaria, Rosemary, Runner beans, Sage, Spinach, and Sweet Corn,

 

• Prick out Campanula, Gaillardia, Gypsophila, Nemophila, Nigella, Pumpkin, Reseda, Sidalcea, Viola, and Watermelon, if large

enough to handle.

 

• Place Antirrhinums, Brachycome, and Echinacea, in cold frame to harden off.

 

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

 

• Take Convallaria, and Eleagnes, cuttings.

 

• Plant out early sowing of Spring Onions, and cover with cloches.

 

• Cut off faded Sedum flower heads down to ground level.