Gardening
HARDENING OFF, GROWING ON Will Livingstone, WillGrow
T
he renewal of life in spring has the ability to reinvigorate a gardener’s enthusiasm for all things green. Remembering forgotten plant names, the smell of sun-warmed soil, new shoots and the spritely song of nesting birds produces the chestfilling excitement that each new season brings. I always get ahead of myself, trying to sow too early or prep beds in heavy rain and I must annually remind myself that my eagerness will be better placed in a couple of weeks. There is still a risk of frost in April, so watch the weather and cover tender plants that are already planted out. Having space for propagation is crucial to a happy, healthy garden. Giving your plants the best start possible will ensure that, when it comes to planting out, your seedlings will be more likely to tolerate what outdoor life throws at them. Having a greenhouse space will also give protection from pests who are at their hungriest at this time of year. Light, warmth and protection from the elements are the three core requirements for newly emerging seedlings; it’s vital to remember these factors when raising your plants. A polytunnel or greenhouse is ideal, as they offer good protection from wind, 360° light and the warmth needed for germination. Polytunnels, although not as beautiful, are a more accessible choice as they are much cheaper than glasshouses (to buy, build, maintain and repair) and are the top choice for most keen gardeners. There are a few drawbacks to polytunnels however, one of which is that they should be re-skinned every five years as the plastic becomes brittle over time. When purchasing a tunnel, make sure the plastic has some form of UV-protection and a guarantee. Whichever you choose, keeping the plastic or glass clean on your tunnel or greenhouse is important - you want to maximise light levels as much as possible. If space does not permit, a conservatory or bright porch works well too. Propagating on a windowsill can be beneficial early in the season, as you have much higher ambient temperatures than out in the greenhouse. Keep a window open a crack to allow airflow and prevent problems. As the season progresses, it is wise to develop 80 | Bridport Times | April 2019
a routine of watering early in the morning or in the evening, as the sun and warmer weather can scorch the leaves of tender plants if watered in the heat of the day. And, as always, water-in newly planted seedlings very well to settle them in position. As April accelerates towards summer, the garden erupts into life. Despite being a busy and comparatively stressful month for the gardener, this is far outweighed by the excitement of knowing that blossoms, bees and bountiful spring crops are heading our way. Keeping your young plants in good condition is vitally important for success going forward. Plants in cell trays or pots can dry out very quickly as the weather warms up in April, so be consistent with your watering. I would suggest having capillary matting on your potting bench; this retains some water and really helps with keeping the bottoms of your trays from drying out. If it seems that your seedlings are outgrowing their pots, transplant them into bigger containers before planting into their final positions – this will prevent them becoming pot-bound, which would ultimately stunt performance. When your plants are ready to plant out (usually when you can see a few roots poking out from the bottom of the pot or tray) they should be fully turgid - this means they have the maximum amount of water in their cells, which will give them the best start possible. It is also important to harden off, which will acclimatise them and get them used to outdoor temperatures, preventing them from being set back. Taking your plants outside in the day and then bringing them in at night for a week or so should do the trick. Using a cold frame, if possible, allows you to open and close the lid depending on the air temperature. Learning to propagate your own plants is one of the most joyful parts of gardening. It allows you to be experimental with variety, as well as giving you the satisfaction of knowing that what you’re eating was started from scratch, by you. The true way to grow your own food. willgrow.co.uk