By Isle of Wight Observer
Well, we’ve certainly been treated to some unseasonably warm and dry weather over the last few weeks.
With all the lovely sunshine we’ve been having, it’s no surprise that many people have got a little over excited in the garden!
Despite the warm days, however, we’ve also seen some sharp frosts of a night-time, and they are likely to continue over the next month. It’s always better to be cautious and hold off from planting anything tender until mid-May at the earliest.
April and May are the busiest months for us gardeners, with many jobs to be done. Whether it’s creating a new flower border, sowing and planting vegetables, or just mowing the lawn, there is much to be done.
In the vegetable garden it’s time to get your potatoes planted, and to sow many types of seeds, such as carrots, beetroot, lettuce and radish. Runner and French beans, courgettes, marrows, pumpkins, cucumbers and melons can all be sown under glass, so that they are ready for planting at the end of May.
Annual flower seeds, such as cosmos and marigolds, can still be sown now, as they germinate quickly. Sweet peas should be planted out now as they will tolerate cold nights and are an early summer flower.
You can plant out dormant dahlia tubers direct in the ground, but be vigilant against slugs, as they will find the new emerging shoots before you see them coming through!
If you have already started them off in pots or trays, you should be seeing signs of life by now. Gradually begin to harden them off outside, covering them or bringing them in at night if it’s going to get close to freezing. It’s not too late to take cuttings too, which is a great way to increase your stock and get improved flower quality.
Why not visit some of the Island’s famous gardens such as Mottistone, Farringford, Osborne, or Ventnor Botanical Gardens, to see how these gardens look at this time of year. Then return in the summer to see the difference. They are great places to find inspiration.