Never plant in the garden until the Bluebells are out, is an old gardener’s expression. However, as April was the coldest in 35 years, the ground this year is still cold and may take some time to warm up. The weather forecast for May is better but also prone to highs and lows. Spring planting …Read More about Spring Bluebells in May
April: Still waiting for spring
Recent warm days (20 degrees) could encourage gardeners to start planting outdoors, hoping for an early spring. With forecasts for the next two weeks including frost and 0 degrees, this would be a mistake. The last couple of years have seen very disturbed springs with plunging temperatures. It is safer to hold off planting out …Read More about April: Still waiting for spring
March: Waiting for spring
It may be some time before spring arrives and outdoor planting can begin. The present weather with record highs for February and minus zero temperatures does not bode well for a smooth transition from winter to spring. Containers and trays can be prepared and will warm up better for planting in a few weeks while …Read More about March: Waiting for spring
February winter weather
A lot of gardeners hold that a wintery February month is a good sign for a later spring, as though getting the heavy winter weather out the way in February bodes well for March and April. Certainly this February is having its full share of weather, snow and frost and heavy downpours. Gardeners prefer a …Read More about February winter weather
January gardening
With temperatures forecast under 5 degrees for the next week or so there is not much opportunity for starting new plants in the garden. The broad beans, garlic and onions planted in October are now established and growing. January is the quiet month in the garden, the time for ordering seeds and making plans. It …Read More about January gardening
Chilli pepper season
With temperatures falling outside and snow forecast, chilli pepper season is starting indoors. December is the month for starting chilli peppers indoors from seed, especially the hotter varieties. Chilli peppers can grow for several years so the aim here is to nurse small plants along indoors until April or May (weather permitting) when they can …Read More about Chilli pepper season