Prune winter flowering heathers before the end of May
Earth up early and maincrop potatoes, prune spring flowering clematis after flowering
Keep hoeing and weeding harden off summer bedding and plant out when all risk of frost is past.
Pinch out the growing tips of bush fuchsias
Check shading and ventilation of greenhouses
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
Springtime at Spetchley
I have to apologise this month for the lateness of the entry as we are now almost a week into May. The daffodils are almost over, but daphnes fill the air with their scent, and the rhododendrons are looking amazing. The weather is now lovely, but I can't say the same for last month. Rain, hail, flooding, even snow ( see picture of snow on Prunus Pink Shell). Very pretty, but also very frustrating as it has put us really behind with hoeing, weeding and grass cutting.
The Specialist Plant Fair went very well, with plenty of stalls selling a variety of plants, accesssories, ornaments, books and plenty of food. Well over 1100 visitors came to see the fair, to enjoy the free garden tours and to listen to the guest speakers in the marquee. The forecast had been a little worrying but it was lovely and dry on the day until the fair was almost over. The rain at the end of the day caused some consternation in the car park after the stall holders had loaded their remaining products, and vehicles began to get bogged down. Husband was dispatched to fetch the jeep and managed, over the evening to pull out several vans!
It was also a fun month, with the visits of 2 groups of primary school children, learning about the way plants grow. We have another primary school group booked for the middle of May so we are getting plenty of practice. Mike, Debbie and myself led groups of 5, 6 and 7 year olds on tours of the gardens, explaining about trees, seeds, flowers, bark, bees, cow poo.... (Why is it that children are facinated by cow poo?) We set up a 'nature table' in the vinery full of seeds, bark, bulbs, vegetables in pots and different natural objects for the children to study.
Regards
Kate
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