Homes & Gardens PLANT NOW - Enjoy in the spring!
'Seasons of mist'…harvest festivals…short days…glorious colours of autumn – it is now time to put into operation some plans that will produce an even lovelier garden next year. Climate change is resulting in increasing numbers of extreme weather
events globally – and we are seeing our share in this country. With forward planning and adaptation, gardeners can reduce the effects of extreme weather conditions by maximising on herbaceous perennials and bulbs, which, generally speaking, have greater ability to cope with unstable conditions. Existing perennials should be divided now – and replanted in their new
locations. There may be an over-abundance of particularly prolific plants so, rather than waste any, why not set up a bartering system to exchange surpluses with friends and neighbours? Assuming ground conditions are suitable, spring bulbs can be planted right up to December – even later. They represent
exceptional value and, with virtually no care, will multiply year on year. Carefully selected, it is possible to have colour from January through to the end of May. Wonderful in beds and borders, they are especially good in tubs and pots, which can be moved around to brighten different areas; and, of course, bulbs naturalise brilliantly.
A few useful tips:
Snowdrops can be difficult to establish from bulbs and are best planted 'in the green' as the flowers are dying off.
Avoid planting tall bulbs with large heavy blooms – some of the tulips, for example – in places where they might be caught by strong winds that may snap off the stalks.
Bulbs planted in containers tend to be dug up by squirrels; this problem can
be overcome by covering the container with a piece of wire netting that can be removed once shoots appear.
Some bulbs – species such as tulips, for example – thrive in the dry conditions at the base of hedges.
When planting late-flowering bulbs in beds, take account of the space that will be taken up when perennials sprout new growth.
Wallflowers and forget-me-nots combine very well with bulbs – especially when grown in large containers. The dwarf varieties of wallflower 'bush' better than the taller varieties, which tend to straggle; this problem can be avoided by planting tall wallflowers in fairly tight groups.
Supplied by Pat Crawford for Hadlow College.
Heat your home and water using renewable energy.
Visit our showroom for our vast array of woodburning stoves.
T: 01580 893510 / 01580 714943
5 Honeycrest Industrial Park • Lodge Road • Staplehurst • Kent • TN12 0RX Opening Hours: Mon to Fri: 9am - 5pm Sat: 9am - 2pm
The Old Nursery • The Common • Sissinghurst • Kent • TN17 2HT Opening Hours: Mon & Tues: 9am - 4pm Thurs - Sat: 9am - 2pm
36 Mid Kent Living
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48