It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is the beginning of May, which is an ideal month for gardening.
This autumn, the temperatures have stayed quite warm, a little cooler with the rain during the last week, but the milder weather encourages a return to digging and planting.
This is an ideal time to plant out new trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables as there is still growing time left before winter and it isn’t such a struggle as spring settling in new plants while it is cooler.
Bulbs such as tulips and hyacinths need a couple of weeks in the fridge crisper, but remember to plant them out by the end of May. Bulbs should be fed on planting, when emerging and again when they finish flowering.
This is a suitable time to divide strawberries, using the runners in beds previously fed with cow manure. Division of perennials such as clivia, agapanthus and hippeastrums while the weather is cooler encourages their development ready for spring.
Sometimes my favourite orchids, the cymbidium, begin to flower just in time for Mother’s Day. These beautiful, hardy plants are wonderful to have inside for colour during the winter months. Their tall spikes of blooms spring from the green strappy growth, blooming over a long period.
The other colourful plant which is ideal for inside are cyclamen. They will flower for many months, especially if given a spell outside at night in the cooler air. Remember to water under the leaves and not the crown.
With reference to other indoor plants, they may need to be moved to where more light is available and occasionally receive
a little air circulating.
Apply Green Flourish weekly during May and then give them a little rest during winter. Maiden Hair Ferns will need a fine mist spray each morning as they dry out easily once homes are being heated.
Winter grass should be treated now before those pretty green tufts goes to seed. Lawns generally will benefit from fertilising to maintain growth until winter.
Don’t be tempted to plant new roses this month – it is too early and may result in die back. Prepare beds without applying manures or fertilisers which can burn new roses.
Wait a month after planting, then apply a light dose of Sudden Impact.
Autumn gardens are never without colour if you have Sasanqua camellias in pots or in the garden. Sasanquas are ideal for sun or shade – they are hardy and ideal for hedging.
Once they finish flowering, trim back and fertilise. In the garden, use cow manure, for pot culture use a slow release such as Bounceback.
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