Spring flowering pot plants and bulbs are now producing a blaze of colour and your seedlings and cuttings are growing fast.  Outdoor sowing and planting can begin in earnest although you will still need to watch for night frosts especially after clear bright days.  You may not think much is happening in the garden during the early part of the year, but after a mild winter it is always a good idea to keep an eye open for pest damage.  One of the most pernicious pests is the vine weevil, which attacks many garden plants and fuschias, cyclamen and begonias are particularly vulnerable.  The answer to this problem is Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer

*Propagation Indoors

Sow spring flowering biennials (Wallflowers, Forget-me-nots, Sweet Williams and winter flowering Pansies )

Sow Ornamental Cabbages and Kales

Take cuttings from tender perennials (Fuschias, Argyranthemums, Pelargoniums)

Prick out or pot up seedlings sown last in April

Pot on Begonias and Gloxinias

Harden off Summer Bedding Plants (Petunias, French and African Marigolds) before planting out at end of May

In mild areas plant up containers with frost-tender plants towards end of May

Plant up Hanging Baskets, and harden them off outside till chance of frost is past

Sow half hardy and hardy annuals for winter flowering pot plants (Browallia, Calceolaris, Cinerarias and Schizanthus)

Sow Marrows, Courgettes, Cucumbers Celery, Celeriac, Runner Beans and French Beans, Squashes and Sweetcorn

Plant up Tomatoes, Peppers and Aubergines sown earlier

TIP: Seeds sown  in modular tray systems make spacing easier, save time in pricking out and produce strong sturdy plants with little or no disturbance when transplanting once the weather warms up.  Check plants regularly to see if watering is needed.  You may have to water actively growing plants several times a week.

*Planting out Outdoors

When sowing and planting outdoors remember that soil temperature is as important as air temperature.  Few seeds will germinate if the soil temperature is below 7°C(45°F).  Watch the weather forecast to check for night frosts and protect tender plants with horticultural fleece if frost is likely.

Also remember that your seedlings are very attractive to birds and wildlife and it is advised that you take appropriate measures to protect them at this vulnerable stage.

Sow hardy annuals

Sow perennials (Achilles and hardy Geraniums)

Train Sweet Peas planted out last  month

Transplant Brussel Sprouts and other winter brassicas sown earlier

Direct sow Runner Beans, French Beans and sweetcorn (will germinate once threat of frost is past)

Plant out Leeks sown in March

Plant out Celery towards the end of the month

Continue successional sowing of Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrots, Salad Onions, Lettuce, Peas, Broad Beans, Radishes and Turnips

Plant out bush varieties of Tomatoes (Red Alert and Tornado)

Strawberry plants which were covered with cloches should be opened up for part of day to allow pollination and fruit development

TIP: Warm up soil by using cloches, tunnels or cold frames for early outdoor sowing especially with the early vegetables.

*In the Greenhouse

Check all the plants for signs of pests and diseases which often increase as the temperature rises especially white fly  and greenflyat this time of year

Increase  ventilation on warm days

Increase watering of plants as the weather warms up.  Damp down regularly, splashing water on the floor and under the staging to increase humidity levels.  (This will help to control pests especially the Red Spider Mite)

Shade the Greenhouse or Conservatory to prevent major temperature fluctuation

The indications given above assume you will be using Rootrainers seed trays and or/plug plants produced in Rootrainers.  If you are using conventional seed trays, then the growth cycle is likely to be longer.  Also remember if you are using Rootrainers seed trays you will not have to do any potting up of your cuttings and you will save on compost.

TIP:  Spring and early summer is the best time to take stem cuttings off healthy plants. For easy stem cutting success try the innovative Rooterpot which once sited lets you sit back while the healthy mother plant feeds the new “baby”