Gardening ground rules

With Summer weather just around the corner, we show you some timely hints and tips for making the most out of your garden:

• Make up hanging baskets for putting outside after the end of the month.
• Harden off bedding plants before planting at the end of May or early June.
• Prune back spring-flowering shrubs such as Spiraea arguta and flowering currant.
• Support herbaceous plants that are growing strongly before they topple over.
• Earth up potatoes as they emerge through the soil.
• Sow fast-maturing and late-flowering annuals directly into their flowering positions.
• Move overwintered hardy annuals to their final flowering position.
• Water and feed plants in the greenhouse regularly.
• Feed seedlings and young plants which are growing poorly or have pale, yellowing foliage.
• Remove faded flowers from daffodils, hyacinths and tulips.
• Place clean straw or polythene around the base of strawberry plants.

How to fertilise successfully

• Never exceed the recommended rate of use because too much fertiliser will scorch plant roots.
• Don’t feed plants when they are under stress due to water shortage or attack from pests or disease, or in dormant seasons.
• Use solid fertilisers on moist ground and hoe them in. Water in well if the soil is dry.