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Home > Home & Garden > Articles > Winter is still with us. Surely it is too early for serious gardening

Winter is still with us. Surely it is too early for serious gardening

01:00 Tue 13th Mar 2001 | Home & Garden
�A.� Nothing could be further from the truth. We might still be in self-imposed hibernation, but many plants are beginning to come to life. Thorough preparation during March will help guarantee your garden looks at its best when you want it to.

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Q. So where do we start

A.� Before we look ahead it is worth thinking of those plants that have done their stuff during the winter months.

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It's time to prune winter flowering shrubs like winter viburnums and trim winter-flowering heathers with a pair of sheers. Daffodils are now out and should be dead-headed of fading blooms so their energy goes into swelling the bulbs for next year rather than setting seed. Snowdrops that have finished flowering can be dug up and divided to enlarge next year's stock.

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Q.� Are there structural jobs that need to be done at this time of year

A.� Yes, it's time to turn your attention to the herbaceous borders. Existing ones should be tidied up, dead and broken shoots and stems removed, fallen leaves raked off and put on the compost heap, plants lifted by frost firmed back in. When that is all done the soil should be forked over and lumps broken up so it has a suitable tilth for sowing biennials and perennials next month, as long as the ground is not still saturated from this winter's soaking.

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Ponds should be cleared of fallen leaves before the weather starts warming up and they begin to rot down. Paths can be returfed and paving laid or repaired.

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Q. What about planting

A.� If you haven't done so already buy or order summer flowering bulbs and tubers like dahlias, gladioli, lilies and crocosmia in time for planting towards the end of the month.

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Seeds of half-hardy annuals like gyposphila, cosmos, delphiniums and sweet peas can be sown direct into your freshly renovated borders, now and things like nasturtiums, stocks and veronica later in the month.

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In the vegetable garden it's time to put in broad beans, carrots, dwarf French beans, early lettuce, spinach and peas. Chitted potatoes should be planted in trenches back filled with a layer of compost.

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Q.� Anything else

A.� It's time to wage war on snails and slugs. Look for hibernating snails under rocks and stones and dispose of them. Hoe and turn mulches and beds and wash pots with hot water to destroy eggs.

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If you have a question on your home or garden, click here.

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Tom Gard

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