Green Fingers: We are in new gardening territory this year
The germination success rates for some vegetables and flowers has been erratic and this is mainly due to the cold earlier on.
There is another increase in people turning into budding gardeners and also DIY improvers because of the current uncertainties in the world with subsequent increased costs of living.
The mild weather has resulted in a huge demand for flower and vegetable seeds, including many types of plants, which is a positive thing but the traditional gardeners have recently arrived only to find that many of their favourite plants have been sold out and that is causing a problem as their annual routine has been broken. They are now at a loss on what to do or grow for the season.
We understand they might feel short-changed and we try to suggest alternatives to grow, and perhaps it is an opportunity to skip a year for some planting programmes.
Even though we sell vegetable seeds, we failed to keep some varieties back for our own requirements as there were always some customers who pleaded their needs so well that we gave them our supplies. So, this year we have no onions, garlic, shallots or scallions for our own use but will fill the spare plot with other more widely spaced crops.
The same shortage has happened with some of our summer flowering plants but, in this case, it is quite nice to try some newer varieties in our containers.
We love the feathery foliage of cosmos and like to plant the short one 45cm (18”) in groups with perhaps the large growing one 90cm+ (3’+) in the centre of a display.
We also like the dwarf scented dianthus or miniature carnations for edging around the pots or in the ground near the patio area or anywhere where we like to spend some time sitting around.
After that, the geraniums are great as they come in shades and combinations of white, pink, salmon, lilac, purple, orange and red.
The double begonias and trailing varieties are worth including in arrangements as they flower well into the autumn when other flowers fade.
The African daisies have become much improved in lasting power and in their colour range so much so that they are now very popular in most displays.
Trailing petunias are stunning in hanging baskets and window boxes and they have been further developed into numerous variations, including some with masses of tiny flowers called ‘Million Bells’.
I think it is a fairly positive attitude to be open to change, no matter how set we might be in our ways. We are in changing times or at least might be forced to change and that might not be so bad in the long term but we all like a degree of certainty. If that is not there, a feeling of unease can linger within us all.
Getting stuck into growing plants and focusing on the garden does help hugely and, to the surprise of many of these newcomers, they are finding out what a pleasure there is in getting involved with plants.
The germination success rates for some vegetables and flowers has been erratic and this is mainly due to the cold earlier on. We always suggest that a small batch be sown rather than the entire quantity eventually required and in that way it increases the chances of obtaining a good crop.
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 them in a future article.
