Now that we are restricted by movement thankfully, we are not as restricted in or around our gardens.
As many of yous may know here at Tron St Mary’s be have many gardening and home growing initiatives at the project thanks to Climate Challenge Fund
Here are some garden tips to help us keep busy over the weeks to come as it can also provide exercise without having to go far.
Giving the soil a turnover with a fork or even a hoe will take away that soil compaction that builds up as a result of winter weather and lack of maintenance.
Cutting the grass should be done in stages.
Your lawnmower may only have one setting but if it doesn’t don’t try and cut it down in one go as this will leave your grass going a yellowy /white colour due to the shock of exposing the lower sheltered sheaths. It will however, recover but never looks good for a while and more likely to allows weeds to grow.
Fibrous rooted herbaceous perennials such as lilies Hosta’s crocosmia heuchera begena can be split and moved to another part of the garden this just means putting a spade down through the plant down to the spade depth lifting the section out and replanting as is
Iris’s can be split but are best left till after flowering in June/July.
It is also time to look at your old strawberries if you haven’t already gotten rid of old brown leaves get rid of them to prevent them rotting on your plant
If runners from last year’s plants are rooted, they are probably best left where they are now as disturbing them could set them back and result in reduced crop. If they are in pots and have a strong established root ball you can plant them into the ground grow bag larger pot or planter, 2nd year strawberry planted plants are always the best
Vegetable growing season is now also now starting Ensure your bed is weed free dig out all those weeds that will restrict the growth of seeds.
Organic Manure can be added but not always available to be dug into the soil, but at this time some fertilisers should be added to the soil especially if this has been your regular veg patch.
Most supermarkets have plenty on the shelf’s – miracle grow products etc that ensures a balance of nitrogen phosphorus and potash is always best.
For root vegetables a higher level of phosphorus is needed but don’t get too hung up
The most important thing is the soil, ensuring plenty of light (Don’t plant under a tree next to hedge etc) and water
If you have no vegetable seeds and not going out for essential shopping where seed packets and fertiliser are in supermarkets you could order them online.
With all deliveries and when out in the garden always remember to wash your hands before and after.
If you don’t think you can order in any seeds any old potatoes that have lay in the back of a cupboard will quickly start developing shoots and can be planted in the ground ,in containers or large bags outside make sure the depth of your total soil is about 12 inches and plant them half way down 5-6 inches and about 8-10 inches apart and they will grow just the same.
Don’t panic yet as this is still preparation time the best planting times in the highly situated Springburn area is towards the end of the April beginning of May and most seeds will produce good sized vegetables being sown outdoors right up to sowing in early to mid-June. Anything after that apart from salad leaves and radish will run out of light and ground heat.
Come on give it a go and grow your own
Keep safe
More later
