Clive Sullivan shares his horticultural tips for the coming season

SPRING CUTBACKS

In these difficult financial times gardens appear to be having ‘sympathy pains’ with the shops, particularly in chilly March! We need to shift our ‘reduce to clear’ garden detritus now to make way for the future glory of summer.

The bulbs are cheekily peeking through; as the great cycle of life starts afresh. Dwarf Narcisscus, Crocuses and the last of Snowdrops flash their colour, leading us into the bolder displays of larger Daffodils and Tulips. Spring really turns on the bulbs doesn’t it? Roses need pruning now – well, not climbers or ramblers (except a small tidy up). You can be as ruthless as you like! So, if you need to take out some aggression at living in these more frugal times; happily hack away; confident in the knowledge you’re encouraging healthy new wood with beautiful summer flowers.

Extensive trials proved some time ago that it doesn’t matter how delicate you are with Rose pruning. Using chainsaws, or painstakingly pruning over the bud at an angle (as I was taught); have a broadly similar effect.

However, the aim is to prune early enough to produce lots of early flowers without risking frost damage. Clematis that flower later, on wood formed this year, particularly large flowered types like ‘Hagley Hybrid’ and ‘Ville de Lyon’ can be pruned to the lowest buds. Even freshly planted Clematis that flower early such as montana can be cut back hard now. This will sacrifice flowers this year, but will strengthen roots, building firm foundations for future years.

A little work now will bring dividends later on in the season!

Clive’s top tips for the season Prune Wisteria asap by cutting back the main stem and shortening lateral shoots, though be careful…not too hard. Feed Roses – use heavy organic feriliser i.e. manure or Fish Blood and Bone. Dig your vegetable patch if you haven ’t already done so, incorporating organic matter. Continue to ensure ponds aren ’t covered with ice – fish need the oxygen. Melt the ice slowly, don’t smash it! Plan a new lawn for late March / early April when temperatures rise above 8 °c. It’s cheaper than turf; another credit crunching solution! As temperatures rise over 10 °c grass starts to grow so ready the lawnmower; sharpen blades and service if necessary. Refresh your window boxes and tubs. Take cuttings of Dahlias and start off Begonias early. Sow half-hardy annuals in seed trays. Keep frost protection on tender shrubs during very cold periods.