Colin Evans

Vegetables

Lately, we have not had great gardening weather, but, if like me, you made best use of the clement conditions, you got some vegetables and salads sown.

On the bright side, the warmer days have encouraged the grass seed to germinate and the grassed areas are looking better already with that fresh green thus, playing their part in the new spring foliage on the trees and shrubs.

Generally, we can be assured of the arrival of spring in April, but, as I have said recently, the odd cold snap is still not far away.

So, be careful when planting out bedding plants, fresh from the garden centre, as these may still need a bit of protection to get them through the colder nights.

A supply of horticultural fleece is not a bad idea and if that’s not available then some sheets of newspaper anchored down will suffice.

The problem this month is heavy rain, which will cause water logging, often followed by a dry spell. Windy conditions will dry out the soil’s surface so keep an eye on the ground and water, if your plants look a little thirsty.

Cordyline 'Sundance'

I like exotic plants in my garden and if you want your garden to look like you mean serious business then a Cordyline ‘Sundance’, either in a pot or in the open ground, is exactly what you need.

This group of plants, and there are many varieties, will make what can only be described as a big statement. Planted in terra cotta pots and stood on a patio, decking or terrace, this plant will make you feel that you are in an exotic hotel somewhere in the South Pacific, especially when we get the hot days we are promised.

Use general potting compost with plenty of drainage when potting up.

Alternatively, if you are planting in the open ground then dig in plenty of sharp drainage material like sharp sand or gravel.

Given a little shelter, these handsome plants will give pleasure year after year.

In the vegetable garden, the soil should now be just about right, especially, if it is on the moist side and has had plenty of sun over the past few days.

Just rake over the surface to a fine tilt. Following that, use a shovel or the back of a rake to make sure the ground is fairly level.

With the aid of a straight edge or line make some shallow drills and sow lettuce, radish, beetroot, onions, carrots, parsnips, peas and Chinese leaves.

Shallots

I also like to grow shallots which are basically onion bulbs that are simply planted into the ground with the tops just showing above the surface and are good if you cannot wait for the onion seeds to turn into harvest worthy bulbs.

If you are into herbs, then chives are a good bet at this time of year. They can be sown in pots and left for germination under cover until they are a few centimetres high.

Once the seedlings are growing well, then take out the whole clump, in other words don't separate the group, and plant the whole clump either in another larger pot or into the open ground.

Watering chives

They won't last through the winter outside but, if you keep them well watered and fed, then you will have masses of chives to use throughout the summer and into early autumn.

Prune shrub roses back for new shoots growing at the base of the stem. Make sure you remove all old and diseased wood. Loosen the soil at the base of the roses and apply a couple of handfuls of sulphate of potash or bone meal to feed through the spring months when the plants will be making plenty of growth.

Rosebuds

Firm in around the base to ensure that the plants have not been rocked about by strong winds during the winter and give a good drenching with a liquid rose feed.

Watch out for pests and diseases. ‘Nip the pests in the bud’ on spotting the first signs of attack and you will soon have roses to be proud of.

Happy Gardening!