'Garden Column - March 2008'

Time to plant roses for summer colour.

If you want something to plant this week which will give you summer colour and scented blooms in a wide range of colours then there is one family of shrubs that will beat bedding plant hands down - Roses.
Roses are probably still number one in a lot of people�s eyes; a wide range of different types and styles are available to grow around the garden � everywhere from climbers and ramblers to cover boundary walls and fences, shrub and bush to grow amongst borders and beds to patio and miniature to grow in containers on the patio.
Many people are put off by roses due to the heavy work load of plant care and maintenance � it is the wide range of diseases like mildew, black spot and rust that put people off.
This is simply rectified by spraying every couple of weeks as soon as the first leaves break bud.
Use a combined insecticide and fungicide like Bayer Multirose, Scotts Roseclear 2 or Vitax Organic 2 in 1.
This will keep the aphid attacks and disease problems to a minimum.
Once you have chosen your varieties, to succeed at growing new roses always dig the hole twice the size of the container it comes in.
Mix some planting medium into the base of the hole. Usually an organic manure based medium is best.
Take the plant out of its container and then plant with a 50/50 mixture of garden soil and planting medium. Once planted, firm in, top dress with some rose food and then water in well.

Take cuttings.

As plants develop and grow in the greenhouse they may need pinching back to encourage bushiness.
These growths can be used for cutting material - many plants such as geraniums, fuchsia etc. can easily strike and increase your stocks and still be able to be planted out to gain summer colour.

Feed areas ready for leaf crops.

Areas which are going to be used for consecutive crops of leaf vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce etc. should be fed with a granular, high nitrogen feed like sulphate of ammonia.
Top dress the soil with about 70 grams per square metre.
Ensure there is plenty of humus (organic matter) to stop this feed leaching through the soil. With plenty of organic matter the feed should remain connected to your soil particles.

Start sowing veg.

Sow parsnips and broad beans as soon as possible. Carrots, beetroot and radishes can also be sown under cloches.
Dwarf varieties of peas, brussel sprouts and summer cabbage can also be sown under cover.
Sow in shallow drills 15-25 cm apart, sprinkle the seed thinly along the drills and then cover with a light layer of soil.

Tidy up fruit bushes.

Soft fruit bushes such as Gooseberries and Currants should be checked for weak low growing growth and damaged shoots.
Remove these as will cause problems with the development of your plants as you want the sap and strength to go into the stronger stems which will hopefully give you a good bowl full of succulent fruit this summer.
Check also the base of larger, mature plants for signs of winter rock. If the roots have been undermined by the winter months compact the soil around the base and support with stakes and ties.