Sue Baines

‘Less is more’ - I understand the concept but have never been able to put it into practice and certainly not at this time of year, when everything seems to be doubling in size each week. There will be even less room as the Dahlias that got started at the end of March are being ‘hardened off’ outside, but always keeping an eye on the weather. Being under glass has produced soft growth, and some of them have distorted leaves, indicating that greenfly are present. Sadly the bugs are increasing just as quickly as the plants, so being vigilant is vital.

Everything seems so far ahead this year, and lots of plants that usually get hit by cold weather appear to have sailed through. I was amazed to see that the Hydrangeas are already developing strong flower buds, so I have started feeding with tomato fertiliser. The potash in this encourages fruit and flowers on most plants, not just tomatoes, although they too are starting to flower in the greenhouse. Other vegetables in the greenhouse are still too small for tomato feed and are being potted-on when the roots start to show at the bottom of the pot. As soon as I see flower buds forming, they will also get a tomato feed. It really does make a difference, especially if we get sunny weather too. I’m still sowing seeds as I have my first ‘Garden Open’ on 28/29th June, but hopefully another at the end of August. So I will need later flowers and bulbs for the August date, such as Gladioli Green Goddess, and Plum Tart, plus a few Galtonia and Eucomis Sparkling Burgandy (which has lovely maroon leaves). These will go into pots, to be dropped into the border in late summer.