May Was An Awkward Time
THE VILLAGE GARDENER
Environment Team tips.
- Put hanging baskets out on display.
- Pinch outside shoots on tomatoes.
- Try to mow the lawn weekly.
- Finish planting out summer bedding.
- Keep feeding the birds.
Mr Crump’s top tips
- Plant some runner bean seeds for a later crop.
- Do not forget the lawn edging.
- Hoe weeds every dry day if possible.
- Clean your UPVC. This will set the garden off.
- Always keep tools clean and put away after use.
May was an awkward time in the garden, trying to purchase seeds, plants and compost. With garden centres open, the temptation to go mad will be great. I do hope that centres will have learnt from this. They were very quick to enable you to buy their garden furniture online, yet slow to allow the purchase of plants which left nurseries without an outlet and in a terrible position.
Now that June is here pests will be enjoying the long days feasting on your flowers and vegetables. Whatever method you choose to curb their enthusiasm for ruining your plants, just keep at them. A deep dish with a drop of beer in is a sure way of trapping slugs. Also, a flat stone placed on the border will give slugs and snails a place to hide during the day, which you just lift to remove the culprits. What you do with them is up to you but throwing them over the fence will not work as they have a keen homing instinct and will soon be back.
Dead heading is the best method of keeping the plants flowering longer. Sweet peas benefit greatly from this. By doing so the plants will continue producing new flowers; it will also keep them looking neat and tidy. If you are going to take the spent blooms off rhododendrons, be careful not to damage the embryo beneath.
This month is a good time to plant biennials such as wallflowers [Erysimum]. Sow in seed tray and seal in clear bag. Once they are large enough to handle, separate into pots and grow on. In August/ September time plant out in the garden in their permanent position. Choose a scented variety if you can. They are good value plants that will flower for ages in the spring.
More people are growing veg in their garden and pots this year. Those of you who are maybe looking for advice need only visit the allotments in Twyn yr Odyn, near to the Horse & Jockey. Here the very best growers in the Vale reside and they love sharing advice on growing veg.
Whilst working in the garden remember to stay safe. Wear a hat, put on gloves and use insect repellent and sunscreen. A visit to A&E at any time is bad enough; to put extra pressure on hospitals now by being careless, will not get you any sympathy.
Take care and happy gardening.