March in The Garden
By Anne Edge-Rowe & Ivor Spade
From Forum
Magazine of Chester City Council

March in the Garden     by Anne Edge-Rowe and Ivor Spade


     Ivor's not happy, he's been practically hibernating in that shed for the last few weeks, until I turfed him out to give the lawn mower a good going over, and as he'd got the mower out then there wasn't much point in putting it back without cutting the lawns was there?  So after much grumbling he got on with it and the lawn looks better for it, especially now the garden is starting to come to life with the daffodils and crocuses all in full flower not to mention the primulas which seem to have been attacked by slugs so out come the slug pellets (it's a pity they don't take a leave out of Ivor's book and hibernate themselves!!!)

     The mild spell we've had has encouraged early blossom on the trees and shrubs but now is a good time to prune the summer flowering shrubs such as buddleia and japonica to ensure that they will flower well later on.  You can still plant bare-rooted trees and shrubs as well as lily bulbs and herbaceous plants.  Ivor doesn't know it yet but that's his next job.

     The "roof gardener" contacted us the other day to see if anyone had made any suggestions for planting around the gazebo, if you have any ideas please let us know.

     Top tips Did anyone remember to keep their Jif lemon juice container after Pancake Day?  We use ours to water tender young seedlings so that the roots don't get damaged.

     Don't throw away your old broom handles either, they're perfect for making a shallow seed trench. Ivor can make a one inch deep trench just by walking along it (although he has difficulty with this if he's just back from the pub!)

     Ivor's thinking of buying a digital camera he thinks it would be very useful for planning out the garden after he's scanned the photos he's taken into the computer.
He's become very interested in computers lately ever since 'er nextdoor mentioned a course she's been going to during the evenings, Ivor says she's passed on quite a few helpful tips but I doubt if it's computers she's talking about!!! 

     The new batch of lilies have arrived from the seed catalogue via the garden club,  Ivor's going to plant ours in between the shrubs as they like their feet in the shade.
The older lilies which we've had in over three years we'll be taking up after they've flowered and putting them into a fresh bed to encourage better growth for next year.

     If you check your seed packet you'll find that now's the time to sew your hardy annuals.  Although, I'm a little concerned about Ivor, as he's been reading an ancient flora and fauna book, which informed him that gardeners had greater success if they sowed their seed in the nude, meaning that if the weather was warm enough to undress then the soil would be warm enough for the seeds, but Ivor says he's thinking of going out at night to avoid being arrested - which makes me very suspicious. 

Good  gardening

Anne & Ivor

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