Spring has sprung

Bluebells are a gardener’s indicator that it is time to get planting. In the old days the bluebells would come out slowly over several weeks, now they appear over one week. This about sums up spring these days. In recent years there have been a number of disrupted spring seasons with extreme heat and extreme cold for the time of year. This can be difficult for young plants.

Seeds germinate quite quickly at this time of year and seedlings need to be transferred from modules to pots. Tomato and chilli pepper seedlings are quite delicate and require careful handling. It is better the modules are slightly dried out for transplanting. Once transferred to the new pot the seedling should be buried half way up its stalk, then watered well.

Moving plants outside is nerve wracking. These warm days are ideal for transplanting chilli peppers from their indoor starter pots into the larger (8litre) outdoor pots. The bigger the pot the better. Bigger holds more moisture in the lower half and saves with watering in the summer heat. Leave a good space between the soil and the rim, this also helps with watering.

For city gardens it is well worth starting everything in smaller 2 litre starter pots and later planting up to larger pots (8litre). This way big pots do not sit about empty. Kale and Chard work well started this way. These start easily in spring and autumn and plants will last 18 months or more. There are many varieties and types providing bright colours and good eating.

Gardeners used to go to great lengths to carefully move plants from the warmth of indoors to the cool of the spring outdoors. These days it is warmer outdoors. While this does help young plants to grow vigorously they can be sensitive to cold nights. Oh, and the slugs are out in force and starving. It has been a mild winter and there are lots, so it is well worth scrubbing all the pots.

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