Green Fingers: April showers and flowers
Pretty Amelanchier, which blooms in April.
April and the following two months are the most loved by gardeners. The reasons are easy to understand as the weather is usually mild and soil conditions are favourable for planting and, of course, there are so many possible things to do and plants to grow.
In order to grow the large range of plants we have in this country, we need the type of weather that we consider normal. Not so long ago or is it a case of a foggy memory but it seemed that we had proper and distinct seasons. Now everything has been turned upside down and we could have almost any weather, anytime. I still remember Storm Orphelia in October 2017 followed at the end of February by the huge snow and then the hottest summer on record - all in the one year.
All this brings challenges when gardening but here we are, optimistic as ever, and looking forward to a good growing season ahead, and this means warm days with light showers.
Coinciding with the April showers are those plants that have similar cascading flowers around now and these include Amelanchier canadensis, the “Snowy Mespilus”, a large shrub or small tree, which has clouds of small white flowers appearing among the bronze unfolding leaves, the cascading white cherries ‘Longipes’ or ‘Shirotae’, and the whole range of Pieris, which have these cascading ‘Lily-of-the-Valley’ flowers in varieties like ‘Passion’ (reddish flowers), ‘Forest Flame’ and ‘Flaming Silver’ (both white flowers) and ‘Valley Rose’ (pink flowers).
This is normally a pleasant time of year when there are plenty of flowers but little growth so that we can admire our garden plants without having to worry about weeds. That will come later but in the meanwhile any perennial weeds that can be seen can be removed or treated this month quite effectively.
This month is a period of relative calm in which to get other aspects of the garden going, such as preparing areas ready for vegetables and flowers but holding back on planting those that are not frost hardy.
Having a lawn or grass area is an asset that many people appreciate, as it is an added space in which to spend a lot of leisure time whenever the mood takes you, and if you surround the lawn with complementary plants you will increase the health benefits greatly.
Lawns do not need much attention except cutting during the season and thereafter maybe give a feed once a year to keep up the strength of the grass area. Feeding around this time of year will encourage the grass to grow and squeeze out some of the moss that might otherwise occur.
Being further north than our European neighbours means that our growing season is shorter and therefore we must make the best use of our time to grow flowers and vegetables so that they flower or fully mature during the summer months.
This is well-known among gardeners but it might encourage those who are tempted to ‘have a go’ at gardening for the first time, including the legions of young people who have no idea what, when or how to get involved in growing plants.
As predicted some time ago seed potatoes were going to be in short supply but there is time enough to plant some, although you might have to be more inventive on how to get some seed tubers.
Old potatoes that have some sprouts shooting will be fine for planting and another potential source are shops selling vegetables, which might have some with sprouts showing.
If you have any queries or comments you are welcome to share them with me on 051-384273 or orchardstowngardencentre@hotmail.com and if of general interest I will include it in a future newsletter.
