With one of our hottest winters ever, no one could blame you for thinking spring was already here. Our gardens certainly look as though it has arrived as we have been lucky enough to avoid the freezing cold mornings that can leave our gardens looking colourless and dull.
With the lack of cooler weather this winter, our gardens will need some extra love and attention that we would normally do once spring has arrived. The absence of the major cold blasts and the cool air from the south has resulted in above average temperatures. Next to no dewy mornings and warm sunny days will have seen your soil dry out as plants remained thirsty. It's time to check the moisture of your soil and give your garden a good drink.
Who doesn't love a lush lawn in spring?! Usually reserved for Spring, it's now time to top dress your lawn. The key is to cut your grass as low as possible and apply your top soil, fertiliser and water it through thoroughly. Don't forget to ensure that grass stays damp until it is look bright and luscious again. Unfortunately, it's now that time of the year that painful Bindii begins its invasion on your lawns. The Bindii grows in the winter and it's the seed that produced the painful prickle. Make sure you spray the culprits. Repeat spraying is important to control weeds that have germinated after the prior spraying.
Spring brings the return of the bees, and with a decline in pollination stemming from a worldwide bee shortage due to a phenomenon known as 'Colony Collapse Disorder', it can't hurt to add some colour to your garden to help our little friends along.
Some blossoming beauties such as Armeria 'Bees Ruby' (pardon the pun), are a delightful clump forming evergreen plant producing impressive round pink globes from late winter through to spring. Ideal for low edging, small gardens, containers, mixed borders or mass plant for a great ground cover.
From the plant variety of the Rhodanthe genus, commonly known as 'everlastings' is the Rhodanthe 'Paper baby'. Its pink buds open to a paper-like white flower with a yellow centre, an ideal ground cover the 'Paper Baby' forms a neat mound with a slightly trailing habit. Ideal for cascading over rocks, retaining walls and down embankments, these flowers can tolerate periods of dryness and its flowers can be dried for indoor arrangements.
As always, don't forget to check your gardens for pests and treat accordingly. Early intervention is the key to keeping your garden healthy.
Until next time, happy gardening.
