Well, now we have put our clocks an hour forward, and British Summer Time has officially started, it really does feel like our spirits are being lifted, so let’s get out into the garden!!
Well, another busy week chez Steele. As both my greenhouse and garden room are completely jammed full, I have been moving some of the hardier plants outside, albeit still under shelter or cold frames. Which in turn frees up space to pot on the tomatoes, cucumbers and chillies into larger pots, which I have been doing. Although they all need heat, remember tomatoes and cucumbers need lots of watering, whereas chillies don’t.
It is also time to start using nematodes. I try to garden vaguely organically, and don’t use pesticides, poisons or weedkillers, so the best way to control slugs is to use nematodes (which are organic). So I have been using slug nematodes all around the garden this week – the soil is just warm enough – and will be using my vine weevil nematodes (which killed 2 cherry trees a couple of years ago) in a couple of weeks.
It is also time for the second cutting of the lawn, and you can gradually reduce the height of the cutting blades over the coming weeks. But I still leave one area of the garden undisturbed for wildlife.
My cucumbers, tomatoes and chillies, as well as my climbers (Morning Glory, Black-eyed Susan, Spanish Flag, Cobaea Scandens etc), all need a) support sticks or canes b) larger pots. Some of my cucumbers especially are now in my largest 14inch pots, with 7ft bamboo supporting canes, and should be producing cucumbers in May, and the tomatoes by June, so a bountiful summer beckons. As my comfrey plot hasn’t really started growing yet (I would normally get 3 or 4 comfrey cuttings over the summer to make wonderful comfrey juice), I am having to use both pellets of organic chicken manure, and normal tomato feed, for these very hungry plants. Although I do have some nettle feed (high in nitrogen) left over from last year, to feed plants needing lots of ‘green’ growth.
Have a great time in your garden too
Kevin
