His Garden Tips For May 2005

Hood Sunday May 15 th 2005 at Boldre Church .

A service of remembrance will be held for the men, who gave their lives for their Country when H M S Hood was sunk 24 th  May 1942.

Rhododendrons. The dead flowers should be picked off. I must admit, I do not always do this.

In the garden I look after, Camellias, large cupped Daffodils and Daffodils “any”, were awarded third prize in the local horticultural society Spring Show.

This month I will apply Path Clear, weed killer to gravel paths.

Roses will be sprayed with Rose Clear. I will spray Roses at 14 day intervals.

I will use the Dutch Hoe between the vegetables , to prevent weeds from establishing themselves.

The flower beds and borders, also be hoed regularly, as will the vegetables.

The lawns and grass paths, will receive a dressing of a balanced lawn feed.

The Grape vine is now breaking into bud. I will water once a week at the moment. Applying the water slowly , at the root of the vine.

Early this month , I will plant 2^nd early  Potatoes , The bed will be deeply dug. A moderate amount of manure will be forked into the bed, creating a reasonable tilth . Does not need to be fine.

A drill will be made, approx. 5 inches deep. The potatoes will be sown approx. 18 inches apart. Leaving 2 feet between rows.

The Onion sets have started to take root.

Early this month , I will sow a line of Beetroot and Turnip , in the seed bed prepared March 005.

Middle of the month another line of Broad Beans will be sown. See February 005 for method followed.

At the end of the month, a line of main crop Peas sown. See February for method followed.

Sweet Corn will be sown in a well  prepared seed bed. About ten days before sowing, I will rake in a dressing of Growmore . The seed will be sown sixteen or so inches apart, in blocks ten feet or so apart.

The trench dug out last month, in preparation for the Runner Bean bed, will be leveled, and a reasonable tilth achieved. The Beans will be sown eight or nine inches apart. In a double row, at the end of the month

The Asparagus is doing well. To reduce the risk of Asparagus beetle, one can spray with Derris. A dressing of common salt, will help to deter weeds.

If you have any Gardening Queries or wish for any advice directly concerning your garden, then please send a stamped, addressed envelope, together with a cheque or postal order made for £5.50 made out to A. Corbin to –

Five Chimneys

Pilley Street

Pilley

Lymington, Hampshire SO41 5QG

United Kingdom
 

Any unanswered queries will have their cheques/postal orders returned