Trees, shrubs and roses

Deciduous trees are beginning to swell buds and the sooner they are planted, or moved, the better.

There are a few weeks left, but there is plenty of time still to plant evergreens. Bush roses and repeat-flowering climbers should be pruned in the next two weeks, if not already done.

Rose bushes can still be planted, from pots.

Fruit, vegetables and herbs

Sow seeds of early varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce and onions in a tunnel or glasshouse for early crops.

Otherwise, if not too wet still, prepare ground for outdoor sowing.

This is a good time to put in permanent vegetables – such as rhubarb, globe artichokes and asparagus – and fruit trees, without delay.

Flowers

Though it was very wet, perennial flowers are showing good growth in many cases, and lifting and dividing of herbaceous flowers can continue.

Sow seeds of the slow developers: geraniums, lobelia, busy lizzie and bedding begonias.

These should be sown by now and not delayed much longer, or just buy plants later on.

Lawns

Give a first mowing, if not already done. There has been little opportunity to mow grass as it was so wet.

Apply lawn mosskiller if there is heavy moss growth. It is too early for lawn feeding.

If new areas of lawn are to be sown, the ground should be cultivated if possible, although it has been far too wet to even walk on soil.

Greenhouse and house plants

Sow seeds now of tomatoes for greenhouse growing, also peppers and chillies.

Delayed sowing will delay cropping and ripening of the tail-end of the crop next October.

Most greenhouse plants in pots will benefit from an increase in watering now as growth begins. Greenhouse camellias in pots will be showing superb flowers.

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