Finally it's spring!
This year it has felt a long time coming but now the days are getting longer and the soil is warming up...so clear your head and get out into the garden. The Chichester Gardener is based in West Sussex so if you live a little further north you might have to delay a bit depending on the weather!
Plant
Main chitted potatoes, shallots,
Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus crowns.
Summer flowering bulbs such as lilies and
gladiolus.
Sow
Tomatoes, sweetcorn, squash, beans,
salads undercover.
Hardy annuals and perennials.
Radish, cabbage, parsnip, beetroot,
spinach and chard direct.
The frosts aren't over yet so remember to
protect seedlings and new growth!
Lawns
Start mowing if you haven't already,
but not too short yet!
Trim lawn edges for a nice straight edge.
Reseed any bare lawn patches or lay turf.
Feed
Prune
Heather (winter flowering) after the flowers disappear to prevent them becoming too leggy.
Lavender to prevent them getting straggly.
Penstemons.
Forsythia.
Dead foliage on perennials.
Deadhead
Winter pansies.
Daffodils and tulips but let the foliage die back.
Mulch
Perennials, shrubs, borders and soft fruit.
Support
Tie in new growth of climbers, clematis, honeysuckle, sweet peas, roses.
Stake/support perennials while you can.
Weeds - get them under control now!
Enjoy the warmth of spring!