Spring: A Most Dangerous Time


My dearest garden blogging friends,

My hearty congratulations to you all. It's spring and your gardens are looking fresh and lovely: there's lots of colour - especially yellow - plus lots of fluffy, fuzzy green is peeping above the soil and on all those branches. You've done a great job the past few weeks - you've tidied everything up, pruned and weeded where needed and now your plants are luxuriating under their new layers of mulch, compost and poultry poo.

What's that..., you think things are looking a bit gappy? I urge caution dear reader. You may have overwintered enough plants to stock a small nursery; you may think it's time to give your garden a bit of a revamp; you may find lots of plants crying out Buy me! at your local garden centre, specialist nursery or plant sale. But remember, you are at your weakest point. You've spent all winter looking at catalogues, dreaming of your ideal garden and how different things will be this year. Your resistance is at its lowest ebb. You've not bought a plant in months, except maybe in seed form, so your purse is crying out to be opened and that desirable little something you've espied bought home to grace your garden.

This is where you must take a deep breath and be strong. Think: Is that really a gap I see over there? Look back at last year's photographs - it could be where your Dahlias will poke their noses through their duvet, or where that tiniest little bit of green you see at the moment plumps up to fill that space entirely. Yes I know you've got lots of pots positively demanding to be planted out. First you must think a little more creatively: is there somewhere in your garden which isn't planted at the moment? Yes, I knew it - that gravel in the side garden is positively crying out for those delicious Iris reticulata you bought at the RHS Show (thanks for the idea James). What really could be replaced? Well, those dead plants you've been nurturing in those pots over there for a couple of years can be whipped out and that nice tree fern plus the 'Congratulations' rose C from choir gave you put in their place.

Consult your photographs again. Is there something that isn't working in your garden - the Forsythia in the corner perhaps? Again be strong and don't get too sentimental: if it wasn't working then, it's unlikely to do so this year. Take it out immediately, before you've got time to think about it: it'll be far more valuable to you as compost or shredded into mulch. Have a look at your nursery area and the plants surrounding the one you've just removed. Select something to complement what's there perfectly - mmm, the Syringa meyeri 'Palibin' that Threadspider gave you last year would look good - and plant it with love and care. If you don't have anything suitable, only then should you contemplate the selection awaiting you elsewhere.

My friends, heed my advice whilst there's still time. Otherwise you'll find yourself with nearly 60 pots of plants you've gathered over a couple of years or so needing a home - just like I have. Spring really is a most dangerous time of the year - especially if you're a plantaholic gardener like me ;)

Love n stuff,

Your very own VP
xxx

Thanks to Easygardener for giving me this idea from a comment she left on my post last Sunday.

Comments

  1. Anonymous27 March 2009 at 09:19

    Of course, if you really are running out of room, I'm happy to adopt unwanted plants... I have more gaps than planting in my garden despite dividing like a loon over the last month. This is something that frustrates me but perhaps I should revel in the luxury of knowing I have room for so many more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Helen/patientgardener27 March 2009 at 09:29

    This did make me laugh. Only this morning I was looking at the garden and thinking whilst there seems to be alot of earth sowing at the moment I must remember that things will fill out. I will have to curtail my spending at the Malvern show and the Rare Plant Fair at Spetchley in April and be really discriminatory about what I buy. But then again there is a really delicious Iris on J Parkers web site today!!!!!
    Let me know when you are going to Malvern show - I'm thinking of going on the Friday

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous27 March 2009 at 09:49

    Hi VP, thanks for the warning. Excitement builds as the nurseries and big box stores fill up with plants in robust health and fabulous colors. Nothing must be purchased unless it has a place intended, that is the mantra as the aisles are perused, but they all look so beautiful! You have 60 pots of unplanteds? You need help, my friend! :-)
    Frances

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sylvia (England)27 March 2009 at 09:50

    VP, have you visited my garden when I wasn't looking or are you reading my mind! I am sure you put this post up just for me, it is so relevant. I thought it was funny but Oh! so true. I was looking out the window at our backgarden this morning and a pot of Aconitum (Monk's Hood) waiting for a home, thinking there's a bare patch it could go in there. But I am sure it wasn't a bare patch last year, so I will heed your advice and wait.

    Thank you and best wishes Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anna27 March 2009 at 09:56

    Oh such wise words from your lips VP but too late to save me from lapsing :( Came home from the garden club last night with two more plants to add to the to be planted national collection. No idea where they are all going to be fitted in - maybe some will have to go to the lottie. I have peeked into your coldframe and can see some fine looking heucheras there - get them planted woman :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nutty Gnome27 March 2009 at 10:17

    This was just a wee bit too late for me - I unwisely went to a garden centre whilst in a very good mood last week. The resulting spending spree means that the area by my back door now looks more like a Burmese jungle than a Derbyshire doorstep - AND it's rained every day since, so I haven't been able to hide the evidence of my profligacy by planting it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. VJJ169227 March 2009 at 11:11

    Wise words my friends... my purse strings are tightly tied...

    ... exept for a Japanese Quince that I needed for the back wall...

    ReplyDelete
  8. CanadianGardenJoy27 March 2009 at 11:38

    VP ! You have truly cracked me up this morning .. BUT .. this is so true : ) .. my back garden is in such a state and no garden centers are opened yet .. so I have a cooling off period to stick to .. before I do anything else other than gather root plants and seeds .. I swear I have a plan and a cool logical mind .. right ? right? ... RIGHT ? !!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gail27 March 2009 at 11:47

    Dear VP, I have so been there, but so far have avoided trying to fill the gap! Of course, the nurseries are slow to get all the beauties that usually tempt me at this time of year! But wait, what do I see on the calendar! The annual wildflower fair is the first weekend in April and the Perennial Plant Association sale is also that weekend...oh, my they have added a daffodil show! It may be hard, but I will try to keep your counsel; it is sage advice! gail

    Gail

    ReplyDelete
  10. Susan Tomlinson27 March 2009 at 11:51

    Excellent advice, as always, VP. It is indeed a dangerous time for gardeners. We must be resolute, though, and very brave in the face of so many empty spaces...;-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Victoria Summerley27 March 2009 at 12:21

    I think I can safely (smugly?) say I have no plants waiting to be planted in my garden. On the other hand, i have a cupboard full of seeds I haven't even got started on... Oh, and then there are the self-seedlings that I need to dig out and pot up for friends...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous27 March 2009 at 13:04

    Fantastic advice! I've been just itching to going on a plant shopping spree even though I already have plants waiting for a place in the garden. You're so right, it looks empty now, it looks like I could plant more, but my babies are just poking their heads out of the ground, they'd have no place to grow. I must settle for weeding and planting seeds. I mustn't fall into the trap!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Unknown27 March 2009 at 13:51

    Over the course of two summers i have planted around 300 potted plants and some bulbs. lots of digging but sadly, I never learn my lesson.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Mr. McGregor's Daughter27 March 2009 at 16:19

    But what fun would that be? There'd be no need to do the Garden Waltz with plant in hand, trying to figure out where to put it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sol27 March 2009 at 17:22

    Great advice as always!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Karen - An Artist's Garden28 March 2009 at 00:28

    Delightful post VP - gave me a big smile first thing - of course I am in the fortunate position of re-stocking a complete garden - so I have loads of spaces and no money to buy plants (lol) - but you should see my seed collection.
    :)
    Have a great weekend

    ReplyDelete
  17. themanicgardener28 March 2009 at 02:00

    Are there any twelve-step programs for gardeners in spring?
    --Kate

    ReplyDelete
  18. Elizabeth Musgrave28 March 2009 at 20:55

    What I have is loads of biennials sown last year crying out to be planted, plus all the cuttings I took which are ready to go. Darn't go anywhere near a garden centre!

    ReplyDelete
  19. easygardener29 March 2009 at 19:42

    Amazingly (and knowing it's wrong) I am still looking for spaces in the garden borders. A little voice is whispering that a plant is probably dead - that's why I can only see the marker.
    I felt perfectly safe as long as I don't leave the house. Now Patient gardener has mentioned J Parker's website.

    ReplyDelete
  20. VP8 April 2009 at 21:17

    Dawn - I've just cleared a massive space in the garden - I've just reached the OMG what have I done stage, so I think my plants will be going in there shortly!

    PG - glad my warning was timely. I'm thinking of Friday at Malvern too :)

    Frances - I most certainly do ;)

    Sylvia - I'm so glad you enjoyed it - perhaps I caught the vibes coming up from Dorset?

    Anna - I love your phrase 'national to be planted collection' :D

    Nutty Gnome - that'll teach you! Garden Centre + good mood - that's a very dangerous combination ;)

    Tree Sparrow - welcome and thanks for following. No, there must be no exception. Except for that rather nice...

    Joy - I know your style and it involves buying/sowing lots of plants :0

    Gail - 3 in 1 go? You'll find it soooo hard to resist my friend.

    Susan - and my empty spaces have just got very big indeed. So I must chant the mantra 'I have 60 plants needing to find a home' not 'I've just created a large hole in the garden that needs to be filled' ;)

    Victoria - what, you've planted up that backlog you admitted to last year? I'm most impressed!

    wormandflowers - but it's an easy trap to fall into. Be strong and welcome!

    flowgrl1 - that's pretty impressive - so the odd 60 I have is pretty small beer then, right? ;)

    MMD - I've just spent a whole afternoon doing the Garden Waltz. What a perfect way of putting it :)

    SOL - thank you!

    Karen - that's the beauty of gardening for a living you can indulge yourself :)

    Kate - no, I think we need one!

    Elizabethm - avoidance could be the best policy for us all under the circumstances

    EG - PG was very naughty when she did that. I'd forgotten that I'd hidden the brochure until she let that slip...

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I love hearing from you and welcome thoughtful conversations :)

Comments aiming to link back and give credence to commercial websites will be composted!

Your essential reads

That blue flower: A spring spotter's guide

Image
Spring is a prime time for blue flowers and my daily walks currently have several from the same plant family* lining the local footpaths. As I walked past the Donkey Field the other day, I overheard some children ask their parents** what the pictured blue flower was. It reminded me it's often mistaken for those other familial blues and this time was no different, as they said it was forget-me-not, instead of the green alkanet it actually is. As well as similar flowers, most of these plants are hairy in their nature, flower around the same time, and favour damp, shady places. Many of them are great for pollinators too, especially bees and this week's warm weather has certainly drawn them to these flowers. This makes it even more likely for these plants to be mistaken for each other and it's a great opportunity for me to put together a spotter's guide in case you find the same flowers on your outings. Staying with green alkanet, the key features which set it
Read more

Jack Go To Bed At Noon

Image
Last year this rather exotic looking flower appeared on mine and several other allotments for the first time. Having been stumped (again) by Mr Allotment Warden as to its identity, I rushed home to find out what it was. It's salsify, aka the marvellous Jack Go To Bed At Noon - named as such because its flowers always close by midday. Here you can see both open and closed flowers - making it seem even more exotic and alien than in the first picture. I think this must be the cultivated version because the flower in my Francis Rose Wild Flower Key looks exactly the same in form, but is bright yellow in colour and called meadow salsify . Its other common name is Goatsbeard, which must be a nod to the fantastic dandelion-like clock which forms the seed head. With 'parachutes' like those shown above, who knows how far our plotted plants came from. I rather like the photographic dissection of the seedhead found in this link . Salsify is edible: its lateral shoots and fl
Read more

Salad Days: Mastering Lettuce

Image
I've decided one of my salad challenges for this year is to grow as many lettuce varieties as I can, ready for the publication of my planned Factsheet* later on. The idea is to grow as many of the Tried and Trusted lettuce varieties last year's Salad Challengers helped compile, then provide a visual guide and as many lettuce facts as I can muster. So far I've found around half of those listed**. Then naturally whilst I was out searching - because such is the way with seeds - a number of other varieties found their way home too ;) A couple of weeks ago I sowed 22 varieties***. Just the simple act of sowing them has me intrigued. Why are some lettuce seeds black and others white****? They split into about half white to half black in my sample and as far as I can tell it's nothing to do with whether they're a type of cos, iceberg, or whatever. I sowed them indoors and popped them into a propagator on the windowsill. The soil's too cold outside for sowing
Read more

Red Nose Day - Gardening Jokes Anyone?

Image
The nation goes ever so slightly bonkers on Red Nose Day - hurrah! Previously, it's been very easy to join in - usually via a dress down day at work plus lots of people up to mad things at the station and in the office. Everyone smiling for once - it's a real feel good day and all in a good cause. This year's different - every day's a dress down day for me now - my friend L suggested yesterday that perhaps I could have a dress up day instead and whilst that's a good idea, I confess that ballgowns and tiaras don't really feature in my wardrobe: scruffy student's always been my favourite look. So my Red Nose Day contribution for this year is to compile a list of gardening related jokes. For each one (clean ones only please) you leave in the comments below, I'll make a donation of 50p to the cause. Here's a few for starters just to get you warmed up: Q Why do potatoes make good detectives? A Because they keep their eyes peeled. Q What did the grape
Read more

VPs VIPs: Derry Watkins of Special Plants

Image
Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Derry Watkins at her home, garden and nursery - the acclaimed Special Plants - just a few miles along the road from me. I first met Derry at one of her open garden days last year and was keen to find out more about her wonderful garden and running an independent nursery. She specialises in tender perennials and regularly goes on plant hunting trips to find new treasures, particularly in South Africa. As well as running Special Plants and opening her garden under the NGS scheme , Derry holds day courses at her nursery, hosts Special Tuesdays from April until September, lectures and has written a couple of books. How did you find your way from Connecticut to the UK? I'd started a biodynamic vegetable garden in Connecticut and we used to have people come along at weekends to help out. A particular young man turned up: he returned many times and at the end of the summer I married him. So it was all down to love? Isn't that the
Read more

The Resilient Garden

Image
  Part of Tom Massey's Resilient Garden at RHS Hampton Court I've been pondering VP Gardens a lot lately. Last year's drought conditions set me off initially, then our harsher than usual winter combined with this summer's flip and flop weather means the thinking continues. It's a huge topic which I freely admit I'm struggling to get my head around. Tom Massey's Resilient Garden  at Hampton Court recently  tackled this topic brilliantly and was a timely interlude which gave me much food for thought. There he encapsulated the detailed research he'd found which informed both his show garden and book of the same name. I think it's one of the most important show gardens I've ever seen. It's clear the way I garden needs to change so that I have my own resilient garden. I haven't worked out the exact details yet, but Tom's book plus a couple of others (see below), alongside the rainwater management handout from the show garden's  sponso
Read more

#mygardenrightnow: heading into summer with the Chelsea Fringe

Image
Ahhhhhh, that's better! I love walking through dewy grass in bare feet, not that there's much in the way of grass on my back lawn this weekend. My wild and woolly lawn has morphed into meadow of sorts this month, which even NAH admits looks attractive*. It's also proved a great source for my Flowers for mum project so far, yielding self-sown perennial cornflowers, lamb's ears, and lemon balm in addition to the blooms you can see. These originated from elsewhere in the garden, the ox-eye daisies must have blown in from the A350 nearby. * = he got very stroppy about the weeds aka self-sown foxgloves in the lawn one year, so he's come along a bit since then. Skimble's demanding to say hello to you too. He does enjoy the patio when it warms up. If the embedded video doesn't work try this link instead. The Nectaroscordum are a revelation. I planted the bulbs around 2 years ago, but it's only this year they've bloomed properly. The bee
Read more

Testing Times: Tomatoes

Image
  I've run a couple of tomato trials this year. The first is a revisit of the biochar trial with Oxford University I attempted some years ago (with a different organisation this time), and the second is a trial of a water gadget called Plantsurge which I was given to try at Malvern Spring Show earlier this year. Most of you have probably heard of biochar already and the claim that this inert, carbon-rich material can help soil fertility and plant health. The RHS information in the above link says results can be mixed, with reduced effects found in alkaline soils. This may help to explain the lack of difference I found in my previous trial as VP Gardens is on a lime-rich soil. Plantsurge is a different beast altogether. It's a strong magnet which is attached to a hosepipe as shown in the photo above. It's claimed that it softens water, with the result more like watering with rainwater. The higher nitrogen found in rainwater is thought to be beneficial to plants. Gardener
Read more

Chelsea Fringe 2014: Shows of Hands - Episode I

Image
The gloves NAH used to build the raised bed . The effects are L to R, top to bottom:  Original photo, Warhol, HDR, Green tint, B&W, Posterize, Boost, Cross process and Sepia Welcome to Shows of Hands - my Chelsea Fringe project for 2014! As you can see I've been having a bit of a play around in Pic Monkey for my first contribution. You're welcome to join in between now and 8th June 2014. The idea behind this year's project is to highlight the tool most precious to a gardener: their hands. How do I take part? It's simple. All you need to do is take a photo of hand(s) in a gardening context and then share it via your blog or other social media (such as Twitter or Facebook), then make sure I know you've done so. I've set up Mr Linky below for your blog contributions. The Chelsea Fringe photo on the right sidebar links to this post, so you can easily find it again when you're ready to add your contribution. If you share your photo on Twitter,
Read more

Make Use of Mildew

Image
On my garden patrol this morning I spotted some powdery mildew on a couple of my new Verbena bonariensis plants. I suppose it was almost inevitable as I prefer to grow my plants hard - this means no water for them unless they look absolutely desperate. This approach means plants root themselves more deeply and have a better chance of survival during spells of dry weather like we've had lately. However, it also means I run the risk of problems like today's, especially with any garden newbies planted late in the season. We've had a good drop of rain overnight, so this should help my plants survive. I'll mulch them later today to help lock in the moisture as it's water stress which encourages the mildew to take hold. I've also removed the infected leaves and sprayed the rest with a milky drink.* I'm also pleased to find there's a use for my infected leaves. Oliver Ellingham at Reading University has started a PhD - sponsored by the RHS - researchi
Read more