| AREA | PLANT | ADVICE |
| FLOWERS | FUSHIAS | Prune dead top growth of hardy fushias right down to soil level at the beginning of May to promote new growth. |
| CAPE PRIMROSE | Now is a good time to take leaf cuttings. | |
| DAFFODILS | Remember not to be tempted to cut the leaves from your daffs as the bulbs need them to store up food for next year. You can tie them up neatly. | |
| AGAPANTHUS | Plant out bulbs as soon as possible. | |
| FORSYTHIA | Prune back all stems that have flowered and give the plant a good feed. | |
| BEDDING PLANTS | If you have raised some bedding plants from seed now is the time to divide and give them some space to grow. If you buy small plants from the garden center also divide them, repot or place them where they are to stay. | |
| DAHLIAS | If you plant your tubers in trays or pots, the shoots can be used as cuttings to provide up to four new plants. | |
| SWEET PEAS | Provide canes for them to climb. | |
| SUNFLOWERS | Encourage your children or grandchildren to sow some sunflower seeds either in pots or straight into the garden. They can look lovely sown in a row next to the shed, or by a bare wall. Dont forget to keep and dry the flower heads for the birds next winter, but keep some seeds back for planting next year. | |
| GLADIOLI | Plant out your Gladioli any time from now to June. Gladis like sharp grit so if your soil is heavy put some grit in the hole before planting your bulbs. Plant about 10cm deep and 10-15cm apart | |
| FRUITS | GENERAL | Start feeding all your fruit trees and bushes to ensure an abundant supply. Check for pests and diseases and treat quickly to prevent further damage. |
| PEACHES | Train the new shoots of outside peaches now. | |
| GOOSEBERRIES | Still keep an eye on your Gooseberries to prevent frost damage to the flowers. | |
| RHUBARB | Cover your Rhubarb with a forcing jar or bucket now but do check to ensure the stalks are not getting too long. | |
| STRAWBERRIES | Cover strawberries required for early fruits with cloches to encourage them to flower. A little straw around the plants will keep the fruits off the soil. | |
| GENERAL | Plant asparagus. spinach. peas. mange-tout. lettuce. beetroot. broad beans. radish. turnips. french beans. swede. brussel sprouts. You might still need a cloche in early May. | |
| Many plants will need repotting either to larger pots or top dress with some fresh soil. | ||
| GREENHOUSE | Go to our new Greenhouse section. | |
| HERBS | Go to our huge Herb section for lots of interesting information. | |
| Divide clumps of tarragon and chives. | ||
| Pick thyme before it flowers. | ||
| Feed with organic fertiliser. | ||
| Trim back any overgrown herbs to encourage new growth, if you feel you cannot waste the trimmings then freeze to use whilst the new growth establishes. | ||
| HOUSEPLANTS | Feed your houseplants if you have not already started, also give the leaves a treat by putting the plant outside in a shower of rain or in the bath or wash the leaves by hand with cotton wool dipped in diluted milk to make the leaves shiny. Repot to one size larger pot or top dress with some new houseplant compost. Go to the Houseplants section for more information and care advice. | |
| SHRUBS | Plant out any new shrubs at this time of year as they will settle quickly but make sure you water the ground and the root ball well. Keep watering weekly helping them to establish. Prune any old straggly shrubs as this will not only help promote new growth but will give you a chance to shape them as well. | |
| LAWNS | Lawns always need care and attention and now is the time to tackle weeds by either digging them out or using weed killer. Start mowing regularily. Sow some seeds if you have rather thin areas but use raised up netting otherwise the birds will enjoy the seeds you have sown. If you are laying a new lawn remember not to walk on it until it has rooted itself. Rake any moss that has grown. A fertiliser with a high nitrogen content will encourage good growth. | |
| VEGETABLES | CARROTS | If you sow your seeds out thinly you will save yourself the job of spacing them later. |
| PEAS | Your seedlings will need some canes to climb up. | |
| CAULIFLOWERS | Sow in trays now ready for planting out | |
| HANGING BASKETS |
The plants for hanging baskets are starting to appear in the garden
centres now, make sure the plants you buy look healthy and vigorous.
Give them a good water and feed, after a week plant out into their
intended basket. |