Late Winter, Early Spring

Late Winter, early Spring. Well traditionally it should be, but some plants think we are well into spring by the look of them. If we have a cold snap this month it could be disastrous in the garden. Keep you eyes open for any sign of severe weather forecasts and then cover everything in fleece to stop the worst of the damage. With warmer, and hopefully dryer days becoming more common, it's going to be less of a chore to be in the garden this month.

Depending on your location around the UK you will have had either a lot of rain, or you will have had a huge amount of rain. As a result most soil types are saturated and it will be difficult to cultivate. If it is at all possible try not to tread on the soil or it will just compact down into a solid layer. With any luck we will be getting some dryer spells over the next month before we need to pot out the majority of the crops,
Gardeners Calendar link below

1. Mulch your flower beds and trees with 3" of organic material - it conserves water, adds humus and nutrients, and discourages weeds. It gives your beds a nice, finished appearance.

2. Mulch acid-loving plants with a thick layer of pine needles each Autumn. As the needles decompose, they will deposit their acid in the soil.

3. The most important step in pest management is to maintain healthy soil. It produces healthy plants, which are better able to withstand disease and insect damage.

4. Aphids? Spray infested stems, leaves, and buds with a very dilute soapy water, then clear water. It works even on the heaviest infestation.

5. Compost improves soil structure, texture, and areation, and increases the soil's water holding capacity. It also promotes soil fertility and stimulates healthy root development.

6. Look for natural and organic alternatives to chemical fertilizers, such as the use of compost. Our use of inorganic fertilizer is causing a toxic buildup of chemicals in our soil and drinking water.

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Please send me any pictures that you have taken in and around the plots and I will add a page for them, also any links or articles that you think would be of interest...
Prize at end of season meeting for best pic....

I will try to update frequently so check back often !! ........Mick