how-to

Overgrown clumps of herbaceous perennials can be divided now. This will invigorate them and improve flowering and overall shape. Lift the clump and split the outer area of the clump, discarding the centre which will be the oldest part of the clump.

Don’t worry if you are not able to do this now, some can wait until next Spring, just make a note of which ones need attention.

Continue to deadhead plants to prolong the display. Why not treat yourself to some Spring bulbs that you can scatter around the garden or put into pots to give some brightness at the beginning of next year.

[Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for September 2020

This is a perfect time to be thinking about taking cuttings of some short lived or tender plants that might not over-winter such as some penstemons and salvias.

Select a vigorous shoot, preferably a shoot that hasn’t flowered, otherwise make sure all buds have been taken off, cut a 5cm length as near to a leaf joint as possible, strip off the lowest leaves and insert into compost. Keep in a cool, moist environment out of full sunlight. [Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for August 2020

Divide congested clumps of bearded iris after flowering. Dead head bedding plants, roses and herbaceous plants to encourage more flowers.

Trim evergreen hedges, including conifers. Feed dahlias and cannas every two weeks with a high potassium fertilizer, such as tomato feed. Prune early-summer flowering shrubs, such as Philadelphus, once they have finished flowering. [Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for July 2020

So, after all those weeks that we have had in lock down, and the sunshine and showers our gardens have received we should all be starting to notice a difference when we look outside.

Hopefully, as businesses start to reopen, garden centres will as well, and any gaps in the garden can then be instantly filled, adding more colour to the garden.

[Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for June 2020

It is a bit strange writing this column while we are all stuck at home keeping social distance, and none of us can predict if things will change before May. I have noticed that more people are taking an interest in their gardens so perhaps some of this information will be helpful.

Summer bedding can be planted out in the garden and pots once the risk of frost has passed. Dahlia plants can be planted out at the end of the month. Any herbaceous plants that will flop over or be damaged by high winds need to be staked. Keep up with the weeding, either by hand or hoeing them. Evergreen hedges can be cut from this month, but check for nesting birds before getting the hedgecutter out. [Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for May 2020

Check roses for black spot, remove and destroy any infected leave and treat with a fungicide. Cotinus and Sambucus grown for their foliage effect can be cut back now.

[Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for April 2020

This month can be quite a busy month, but a lot will depend on the weather and the risk of frosts.

Perennials that are congested and overcrowded can be lifted and split this month. Overwintered dahlias can be kick started by potting them in free draining compost, when they start to produce new shoots, the first of these can be cut and potted to multiply your stock. [Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for March 2020

Protect the blossom on peaches and nectarines. Prune autumn fruiting raspberries, cutting all stems down to ground level. Sow broad beans directly in the garden, or in pots. Chit potatoes, prepare vegetable beds for later sowings. Start sowing early vegetable seeds under cover (eg broad beans, pea, spinach, cabbages). Mulch around the base of fruit trees.

[Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for February 2020

This is a great time to plan what you would like to do in the garden for the rest of the year. Take a note book and walk around the garden. Look at seed catalogues for ideas of what to sow.

Midwinter is a tough time for wildlife in the garden. Make sure there is a continuous supply of food and fresh water. Knock snow off branches, especially conifers, if they are bending under the weight.

[Read more…] about Wellie’s Gardening Tips for January 2020

Keep raking up those leaves from the lawn and borders.

If it’s a mild winter, continue to cut the lawn if it’s growing, but raise the height of the mower blades.

From now until the end of March is the time to plant any bare rooted trees, shrubs and roses.

Check stored fruit, throw out any that are rotten.

Reduce watering on houseplants.

[Read more…] about 2019 December Gardening Tips by Wellie

Jobs to do as winter approaches and the garden quietens. Rake up leaves on the lawn. Tie-in long whippy shoots of climbers and wall shrubs.

Bare rooted roses can be planted now. Prune bush roses to prevent wind-rock and clear up any fallen rose leaves, especially if they suffered from black spot and rust, to reduce the chance of infection next year. [Read more…] about 2019 November Gardening Tips by Wellie

This month the days are closing in, and it can be distinctly chilly, but there is also beauty all around as the leaves start their autumn change, so now is the time to:

Cut back herbaceous perennials that have died down. Split and divide older clumps of overgrown perennials. [Read more…] about 2019 October Gardening Tips by Wellie

Now that strawberries have finished fruiting, it’s time to propagate new plants. [Read more…] about 2019 September Gardening Tips by Wellie

Summer is in full swing, and to keep your garden looking lovely there are a few things to do this month.

Dead head regularly to maintain flowering, cut back perennials that have collapsed. Continue to summer prune wisteria. [Read more…] about 2019 August Gardening Tips by Wellie

Prevent leaf scorch of container grown Japanese maples by keeping them well watered and in a sheltered spot out of strong sunshine and winds. [Read more…] about 2019 July Gardening Tips by Wellie

Pinch out tips of new growth on figs at the end of month, when the shoots have 5 leaves. Stop cutting asparagus now and topdress with a general purpose fertilizer. [Read more…] about 2019 June Gardening Tips by Wellie

Plant out summer bedding once the risk of frost has passed. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and protect with horticultural fleece if necessary. [Read more…] about 2019 May Gardening Tips by Wellie

Feed rose bushes and check them for black spot. Remove infected leaves and treat plant with a fungicide. The tips of Marguerites, Pelargoniums and Fuchsias can be pinched out now to encourage bushy growth. [Read more…] about 2019 April Gardening Tips by Wellie

Dead head spring bulbs. Prune hydrangeas by cutting back old flowerheads to first pair of strong buds, and cut up to a third of oldest stems back to their base.

Cornus and Salix grown for winter colour can be cut back hard now. Apply general purpose fertiliser and mulch to beds and borders. Start putting supports in place for herbaceous perennials. [Read more…] about 2019 March Gardening Tips by Wellie