The Purbeck Gazette


35


May - When Gardens Come Alive! Bedding Plants - when is it safe?


You will probably notice Wareham and Swanage Town Councils planting their summer flower borders and putting out planted baskets around the towns, but when is it safe for you to plant yours out?


Frosts can occur right up until the Whitsun Bank Holiday, this is the traditional safe time to ‘bed out’. However, those that are lucky enough to live by the


coast in areas such as Swanage, Upton or Lulworth have the sea close at hand, which keeps light frosts away and it is normally safe to plant out from early May.


Do keep an eye on the weather forecast and if a frost is mentioned, cover anything tender with some gardening fleece or an old sheet.


The Chelsea Chop


Many Cottage Garden Plants such as Catmint, Michaelmas Daisy and Sedum have a habit of collapsing under the weight of their own flowers. A good way


Holme for Gardens, West Holme Farm, Wareham 12 May at 6.30pm at


Gardener’s Question Time ‘An evening of gardener’s questions & answers’


Panel: John Bickerton, Garden Designer & Writer, Simon Goldsack, Horticulturalist & Garden Designer, Trish Lee, Garden Design Consultant, Bob Hollister, Country Garden Plants


Tickets £12 to include Ploughman’s Supper, in aid of Weldmar, available from Holme For Gardens or on 01305 261800


to overcome this is to chop them down to ground level during the week of the Chelsea Flower Show. It does seem drastic, and will delay their flowering by a couple of weeks but the resultant re-growth is much sturdier and capable of showing off its best without falling over.


Growing Your Own


If you haven’t sown any seeds yet, it is not too late for things like Rocket and other salad leaves. However, for vegetables like Tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, beans and peppers you will need more established plants now.


Your local garden centre should be stocking all these as young plants ready for transplanting straight into your garden.


Most of these plants have ornamental foliage and flowers as well as being edible, and they look attractive in your mixed borders or in a planted tub, especially good if you don’t have the room for a dedicated vegetable area. Written by Holme For Gardens.


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