Tasks for April

Winter protection can now be removed from more tender plants.

Dahlia and cannas can be safely planted out if the new shoots are not required for cuttings.

Check variegated shrubs and prune out any reverted shoots.

In the vegetable garden sow beetroot, radish, spinach, carrots, peas and beans.

Plants that are growing in pots would benefit from a feed If you removed your pond pump last autumn, now is the time to check it over and replace it for the summer.

Daffodils, and a new Kitchen Garden

The end of March has been bright and sunny. Daffodils are making a really bright show, early cyclamen and primroses look colourful and the daphne smell really sweet. March has been such a cheerful time of year.

We have had plenty of good weather for reseeding the patches of grass where several conifers had been removed in the Millennium Garden. We had also lost a large, old cherry tree by the Fountain Beds in the gales, which gave us the opportunity to replant part of the yew hedge, and reseed the bare patch of earth where the grass had been shaded out.

The gales also damaged the conservatory and several panes of glass slid off the frame, smashing on the ground. The powers that be are now trying to gather quotes for repair, and posible restoration.

The kitchen garden is finally making great progress: The paths have been installed, the fruit cage has been marked out (see pic), fruit bushes and most of the box plants are now planted and some of the vegetables have already been sown. We have a new volunteer helping out now; Richard L. is a TV researcher, but likes to spend some of his spare time in the gardens. His help has been invaluble with the construction of the new garden.

Richard D. is now away from work for about two months as he recovers after his knee operation. His temporary replacement, Phil is enjoying the work on a big estate after several years working in gardening in London.

He is getting plenty of variety as preparation work for the RHS sponsored Plant Fair on 15th April has begun.