Caterham & District Horticultural Society

ESTABLISHED 1886

www.caterhamdistricthorticulturalsoc.weebly.com www.facebook.com/cat.hortisoc

April may be showery, but it has its share of warm sunshine, heralding the approach of Summer. Gardeners will be busy sowing, potting up and pruning and of course controlling Pests and Weeds.

A brief outline of other important jobs to be carried out:

Bulbs Dead flower stems of Narcissi and Tulips should be cut off.

Fruit Protect blossoms from frost

Greenhouse Should be thoroughly cleaned. Stop Fuchsias and Sweet Peas and pot up Begonias and gloxinias.

Hedges Check for bird’s nests before pruning

Herbaceous plants Weed, dig and mulch established borders. Sow hardy annuals where they are to flower.

House plants Increase watering and propagate plants from cuttings. Feed citrus plants. Shrubs, Trees and Climbers Feed and mulch.

Vegetables Seed sowing is crucial this month. Practise successional growing. Plant out Broad Beans & Peas and transplant Brassicas.

Water Gardens Clean established pools. Complete new pools. Feed fish.

Wildlife Parent birds are busy feeding their young so, body building foods will help.

Lawns Repair bare patches or sow new lawns.

Rock Gardens Seeds can be sown & overgrown plants can be divided.

Roses Apply an organic fertiliser after pruning. Animal manure is ideal this month. Our Spring show is on Saturday 4th April at The Westway Centre, Chaldon Road, Caterham, CR3 5TA. Open to the public from 2.30pm to 4pm OR why not enter some of our various classes.

Bulbs Lift Tulips and heel-in for bulbs to ripen.

Fruit Protect Strawberry blossoms from late frosts.

Greenhouse Harden off summer bedding plants. Maintain humidity and shade to protect plants from scorching.

Herbaceous Plants Hardened off Chrysanthemums can be planted out. Feed Delphiniums & Phlox.

Houseplants Increase watering & protect plants from sunburn.

Lawns Kill weeds & mow regularly.

Patios, Balconies, Roof Gardens & Window Boxes Feed and water container pants. Roses Control pests, eliminate multiple shoots and start disbudding.

Trees, Shrubs & Climbers Dead head Rhododendrons & transplant Evergreen shrubs.

Vegetables Prepare ground for transferring hardened off plants. Hardy outdoor tomatoes can be planted out.

Watergardens Introduce new aquatic plants. Fish are ready to spawn.

Wildlife Increase variety of plants to welcome Bees, Butterflies & Pollinators.

Saturday 6th June from 2pm to 4pm. Gardeners, Cooks and Flower Arrangers Questions Event in partnership with Caterham Valley Library, Stafford Road, Caterham CR3 6RG. This event is part of Caterham Festival.

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