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PLANT CARE & PRUNING

With spring in full swing, there is much to look forward to and do in the gardening schedule. As the ideal conditions for cultivating and sowing arrive, the planting year can get off to a good start. Check for any pests and diseases, keep on top of weeding, continue to divide perennials, prune hydrangeas and pinch out the tips of fuchsias.

1 CLEAN the greenhouse with warm soapy water to let in more sunlight and get rid of any pests and diseases. 2 MOVE any evergreen trees and shrubs once all threat of frosts has passed and if the ground is not waterlogged. 3 FEED fruit trees and bushes with a slow-release fertiliser around their base of the plants to boost the new season’s fruit crops. 4 SOW new grass seed on prepared soil to reinvigorate your lawn; keep the ground moist while the seeds germinate.

Mr Mitford, kitchen gardener at Hawkstone Hall, shares what to plant this month

IN THE VEGETABLE PATCH

BABY KALE is one of the easiest brassica to grow. Sow in nutrient-rich soil in seed beds and water well – they should start producing baby greens in a few weeks. Try sowing seeds wellspaced in large pots. BEETROOT is always a winner and if planted now will be ready to enjoy in the summer. Sow in loose, fertile soil, spreading the sowing over a number of weeks to prolong the period of harvest. CUCUMBER should be planted once the soil has warmed, and many tend to ripen near autumn, so planting now will produce ample fruits. They thrive in warmer environments so will do well in the greenhouse.

3 OF THE BEST

Flowerstosow

Continue to sow hardy annuals outdoors, as well as native wildflowers and sweet peas at the base of supports. ‘Any under-cover sowing is now the job to be done, ’ explains plantswoman Sarah Raven, who recommends some of her favourites to sow under cover in April for fantastic cut flowers this summer and autumn.

ZINNIA ELEGANS have a long picking season, and spectacular, huge flowers with an excellent vase life. The ‘Giant Dahlia Mix ’ (above) is a wonderful blend of oranges, reds, pinks and yellows. We sow zinnias under cover in guttering around mid April, to avoid root disturbances when planting out. Harden off seedlings before planting out after the spring frosts. Pinch out the tips as you plant to encourage more flowers. They will flower from July until October. TITHONIA ROTUNDIFOLIA ‘Torch’ is one of my favourite summer and autumn flowers, with luxurious, orange flowers for autumn picking. Sow the seeds of these plants, known as Mexican sunflowers, under cover now and plant them out in May to July. They like lots of sun and grow tall, so may need staking. They will flower four months after sowing, between July to September.

XEROCHRYSUM BRACTEATUM

‘Salmon Rose ’ is a mix of every tone of coffee, peach and salmon. The whole strawflower brigade looks good dried through the year. Sow seed thinly indoors, pressing gently onto the surface of compost and keep moist. Once seedlings emerge (within one to two weeks), pot on and move to a cooler position before planting out in May to June, after the last frosts, for flowers from July to October.

Alliums and tulips make a beautiful display in spring

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