6
The Informer
Garden Growing
The gardening year is warming up As I write this months “further adventures in the urban garden” series, it’s been a lovely warm day with temperatures reaching 10 degrees centigrade, according to my outside thermometer. It’s the 1st of February which to me is the first day of spring. A debate about this takes place every year with most saying 1st March is the date but I believe that Saint Brigid’s day is the start of our Celtic spring so I’m sticking with that! Let’s hope that the rest of spring isn’t too bad. Cover up
Following on from last month’s article your vegetable plot should at this stage be covered to heat up the soil. It’s not too late to get the digging done before covering. One great thing about this time of the year, irrespective of your view on whether spring has come is that now is the time to buy the early varieties of seed potatoes, whatever one you like. This to
me and many other gardeners is the beginning of this years growing season. My all time favourite is ‘Orla’, very easy to grow and they really are gorgeous. This variety and all the others are now available.
With
Gerry Norton
Get chitting
A very good tip to encourage early growth is to ‘chit’ the potatoes. Just put the spuds into cardboard egg boxes with the eyes facing upwards. These eyes develop into healthy roots which are well advanced when it’s time to plant them outside. Place the boxes beside a window in full sun, south facing if possible and you will be amazed at how quickly the shoots appear. Spring clean
Elsewhere in the garden if you haven’t already done a serious clean up now is the time. You will be amazed at the amount of new growth which lies hidden under the last of the winter’s debris. All the usual
spring bulbs are bursting through the soil. If the snow drops are starting to fade, now is the time to divide them and therefore increase the number for next year. Just wait until the flowers are gone. Tree planting This time of year is a very good time to plant trees and shrubs
assuming the ground isn’t frozen and to finish pruning your existing trees and climbers. It’s not too late to prune Wisteria for example but you need to hurry. Plant and vegetable seeds can be propagated now indoors either on window sills in small containers or using a propagator. Exactly like ‘chitting’ potatoes, this will
(Depending on application)
give plants an early start. If you are using last years old containers and propagators, make sure they are cleaned out as they can carry pests and diseases.
Remember the birds Also, don’t forget to keep feeding the birds. Even though it’s very mild at the moment February can be a very cold month.
Finally folks, if you need any information on gardening or if you have any tips or suggestions which I can pass on, please send them to me at livinglandescapes@eircom.net. I would be delighted to quote for any/all of your garden requirements from set-up organic vegetable plots to restoration of neglected gardens, design, planting and maintenance. No charge for initial visit and I will travel within reason.
Gerry Norton, Living Landescapes, 97 Church Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 Tel: 087-2462724 or email
livinglandescapes@eircom.net