Keep on top of the weeds. The conditions for our plants are improving every day now, but these conditions are also perfect for weed seedlings and perennials.
Begin to feed the roses and tie in all that lovely new growth of climbers and ramblers. Aim to tie the stems as laterally as possible to increase the number of flowers at nose level rather than all at the top.
Squish any aphids on the newly emerging leaves and buds of roses, or squirt them off with the hose if you're squeamish.
Sow hardy annuals where they are to flower.
Top dress containers by removing the compost on the surface to a depth of around 2 inches and replace with fresh compost. Firkle in some slow release fertiliser.
Continue to eradicate slugs and snails to protect new shoots.
Move the self sown foxgloves and plant at the back of the long border and Mugwort's Retreat.
Move the grasses in the front garden to mingle with the crocosmias.
Plant lilies and keep an eye out for bright red lily beetles. Put one hand beneath the bug and knock it off with the other as they tend to fall on their backs on the soil which makes them very difficult to spot. Then just dispatch as you see fit. The young look like bird droppings which should also be bumped off.
Feed shrubs and hedging.
Check tree ties.
Tie in new growth on clematis and honeysuckle laterally to increase the quantity of blooms and prevent all the flowers being at the top.
Finish the last of the cutting back and tidying up of perennials to remove all the dead matter now that new stems and leaves are unfurling.
Continue to deadhead winter flowering violas to encourage more buds.
Remove the heads completely from the narcissi and tulips as they go over to prevent seed formation - we want all that energy to go back into the bulb for next year's flowers. Allow the foliage to die back naturally as they feed the bulbs. Try to leave them for 6 weeks.
Refresh water in bird baths and keep feeders topped up; the birds are getting very busy now and will repay you by picking insects and grubs off your plants to feed their chicks.
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