Mill Garden Centre Armadale

Shrubs, Acers, Conifers, Trees, Heathers, Bedding Plants, Sundries, Display Gardens

Seasonal - Jobs in the garden for early summer

It?s still not too late to sow some annual seeds ? for the flower garden French, Scots and American Marigolds can still be sown up to early May along with Nasturtiums, Alyssum (both white and pink), Godetia, Mimulus and Livingston Daisies to name but a few.
It is also the ideal time now to sow some later vegetable seeds ? lettuce, radish, peas, beans, turnips, carrots, beetroot, spring onions and later varieties of cabbage. Maincrop and late potatoes can be planted up to early May.
This is also an ideal time for planting herbs both in the kitchen garden and in purpose built containers ? use a soil based compost for growing herbs in containers (John Innes No 3 is ideal). Some varieties can be sown outside in late April ? early May when the soil is warmer (tender herbs such as basil need some form of protection even at this time of year).
Fruit trees and bushes will benefit from a light top dressing of fish, blood and bone or a mulch of farmyard manure / spent mushroom compost for healthy growth to sustain summer fruits. Strawberries require a fertiliser, which is higher in potash than nitrogen to prevent lush growth.
Weed control is also an important consideration especially before they seed ? use a Dutch hoe in borders etc. at least once a week, during dry, sunny periods.
Lawns should now be mown and fed regularly throughout the summer at 3 ? 4 week intervals to ensure even growth.
After a wet winter and spring timber decks can be cleaned using some of the new proprietary cleaners to remove algae leaving the timber almost like new and much safer ? especially for children playing.
Hanging baskets and containers can be planted up under glass for an early start before placing outside finally in late May. Use a good purpose made compost, containing Oasis or add some Swell Gel granules to prevent sudden drying out. Some slow release fertiliser granules can also be added to the compost for extra plant vigour through the season. Feed at regular intervals (at least twice per week) through the summer and check for watering diligently ? feel the weight of the basket to indicate the level of dryness. Hopefully the summer this year will be warm enough to keep all of you in the garden much more than last year.

Plants of interest to look out for :

Camelias ? particularly any of the Williamsii hybrids for this area.
Magnolias ? especially varieties such as Stellata, Soulangeana and some of the lilliflora types.
Japanese Maples ? some varieties with stunning spring colours ? Chitoseyama, Katsura, Burgundy Lace, Scolopendrifolium, Shirasawanum Aureum.
Cercidiphyllum japonicum (the Katsura Tree) ? with unusual bronze/ pink new growth followed by golden foliage in autumn accompanied by a smell of burnt sugar.
Dwarf and grafted pines ? Pinus sylvestris ?Gold Coin?, Pinus sylvestris ?Wintergold?, Pinus nigra ?Bright Eyes?, Pinus sylvestris ?Inverleith?, etc.
Rhododendrons and Azaleas ? in a huge range of sizes and colours we also have a good range of deciduous azaleas.