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Eleventh edition - March 2002
It seems the March winds
arrived early and battered the country for the second half of February. Let us hope we
don`t have any more to contend with. I don`t like those bitter winds that manage to
penetrate all the layers of clothes we put on in our effort to stay warm.
On a more positive note, we
have already had some memorable spring-like days when the whole neighbourhood seemed to
start their annual ritual of sorting out the garage and garden, and visiting the local tip
with all the rubbish from winter...
Talking of rubbish, I`ve
been very good and built up a splendid compost heap - two of them actually - just by
saving all the grass cuttings, vegetable peelings, used tea bags and garden prunings, with
some compost maker thrown in. This is the second year I have used the compost and I can
really see the benefit to the plants and shrubs in the borders. Of course it`s nothing
like the crumbly peat-like material produced on the TV gardener`s compost heaps, but then
I don`t have six under-gardeners to turn it over for me every fortnight!
Talking of television, I
love watching gardening programmes, and am delighted to see that Alan Titchmarsh, the
gardening guru, is - like Delia with her cookery - going back to basics *with a new
eight-part series on BBC 2 on Wednesday evenings at 8.30pm from 27 February 2002. Called 'How to be a Gardener' it is a real
back-to-basics approach which will inspire those who have been too scared to go out into
the garden. It should also be a good
refresher-course for keen gardeners. A book will be available to accompany the series, and
a second series planned for next year!* (You will see the book at the bottom of this
page)
* Taken from
a review of the TV programme on http://www.alantitchmarsh.co.uk
This month, as March
marks the start of the gardener`s eight month active season, I have written a little
bit here about gardening for
beginners...
Jobs for the month - March
House plants
 Increase
watering and feed plants more frequently. Check root systems and re-pot into a larger pot
if necessary. If the weather is warm enough I stand larger specimens outside and give them
a wash with the hose pipe on `fine spray`and let them dry before bringing them back
inside. This is a job that can also be done in the summer on a rainy day.
Lawns
March - April are good months for sowing or laying new lawns. Existing
lawns should be swept and raked before mowing. I have already lightly mown my lawn in
December and again in February, more to collect debris than shorten the grass, and this
month I shall remove the moss with an electric scarifier, which is an extremely satisfying
job...
Shrub borders and roses
 If
you didn`t do this task in February, turn over the borders with a fork to freshen them up
and let air in - as the earth will have become compacted over winter - taking out any
weeds at the same time. Cut out any dead or twiggy wood from rose bushes and shrubs. Prune
roses and any shrubs, early summer and later flowering clematis hybrids, ornamental grape
vines and wisteria, according to instructions in your gardening book.
Paths, walls and fencing
Another task you may already have done in February....Do any necessary
repairs before plant growth starts. Use a weedkiller such as Pathclear to kill grass and
weeds on concrete areas for a whole season. Examine the supports for climbing plants and
replace if necessary. Pressure clean paths or other ground areas that have become slippery
with moss and algae. (Read instructions carefully on weedkiller packets if you have pets)
Greenhouse
 Continue
to sow summer bedding plants and tomatoes. Plants that you have stored over winter such as
pelargoniums, (geraniums) fuchsias and tuberous begonias can now be started into growth.
Keep some gentle heat on in the greenhouse during the nights as frosts will still quickly
kill your new seedlings. I usually start seeds off in the house and transfer them to the
conservatory until May when it is safe to put them in my unheated greenhouse. They will
tend to get leggy and lean towards the light, so will need turning every so often..
Vegetables
Continue to sow successional crops such as salads and carrots. You don`t
need a vegetable garden or allotment to enjoy home grown vegetables as they can be grown
in amongst the flowers. In fact it helps to keep the aphids and carrot fly away if you
plant vegetables amongst flowers such as marigolds, and I think it looks really nice to
see vegetables and salad stuff dotted around the borders. Later on you could put a small
wigwam of runner beans in.
Fruit
The first fortnight in March provides a final opportunity for fruit
planting while the plants are still dormant. Before growth starts, do any late pruning of
young plum trees according to your book, give them some fertiliser and protect blossom
from frost with horticultural fleece.
Trees and shrubs
If there are any dead or diseased branches or twigs on new or existing
trees, cut them out. Give a top dressing with a fertilizer and mulch. Check that the
supports and ties for young trees are secure but not too tight, and won`t rub against the
trunk. This is a good time to make sure that new trees develop a good shape by cutting
back any badly shaped branches. I pinch out the tips of new trees so they form a bushier
shape...
Water gardens
 Much
the same as for February this month. If the weather is suitable for you to do a pond
`spring clean` then take care not to disturb any mating frogs or toads. If they
haven`t yet paired off you can put them in a bucket and cover them until it`s time to put
them back in the pond. The same goes for the fish. We put ours in a plastic plastering
bath where they swim around quite happily until being returned to their pond. If you are
re-lining a concrete pond take care to use the correct sealant afterwards, and give it
ample time to dry. It`s probably a little early in the year for buying aquatic
plants.
Wildlife
The birds are very busy this month pairing off and mating. If you are
thinking of placing new nesting boxes, make sure they face North so the sun doesn`t shine
in them. Clean out any old nesting boxes with a hand brush but not disinfectant or water.
I always take some time out at this time of year to spend a few minutes in the garden,
bird spotting and listening to their varied and tuneful songs. One of life`s little
pleasures...
Some
web sites of interest to gardeners:
For
the expert:-
www.alantitchmarsh.co.uk
Alan Titchmarsh MBE, TV gardener, writer, broadcaster and thoroughly nice person.
Just a few choice words to describe the peoples` favourite TV gardener. See his
website....
For
ideas:-
 Thompson and Morgan:
a growing resource for gardeners worldwide. The site includes the international online
seed catalogues, the young plants catalogue (UK only), the wholesale seeds catalogue,
together with the award winning Germination Times and a host of other useful information.
For inspiration:-
www.carryongardening.co.uk
 Gardening is an important part of many people's lives. You don't have to
give up gardening because of accident or illness, the onset of disability or the problems
associated with growing older. The information on their website is designed to provide you
with the information to Carry on Gardening.
Carry on
Gardening was initiated by the horticultural charity Thrive
and is funded by the National Lottery Charities
Board. It brings together information on easy ways of gardening gathered over 23
years by Thrive and research carried out since the early 1970s by Mary Marlborough Centre,
Oxford, on tools and equipment for disabled and older people.
For vision:-
 www.edenproject.com
The
living theatre of plants and people
The Eden Project is a gateway into the world of plants and people. A meeting place for
all to discover how we depend on plants and how we can help to manage and conserve them
for our mutual survival
For indulgence:-
The founder
of www.maple-landscapes.com is my eldest
son.. give him a call if you live in the Leicester area of the UK and have need of his
services..
Have
a look at previous editions of
Gardener`s Diary
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