Secrets of a Head Gardener
Be generous with your planting – don’t plant just one of anything, plant three, four or five. This will create more of an impact in your borders and look more natural, because nature never plants in ones.ones Don’t over-garden your space, but allow things to set seed and establish themselves how and where they want to. Let the plants cover the soil, which helps to suppress weeds and will save you hard work later.
Make time to sit in your garden and look at it t from different anglesgles at various times of the day and year. Consider onsider what works well, ell, what jars and if there are spaces youou want to fill. How does it make youou feel? Don’t forgetorget to enjoy it t – you need to make time to smell the roses!
Water effectively when planting out. Dig a good-size hole, place the plant in it, then ‘puddle’ it in by filling the hole with water at least once – twice or three times in hot, dry weather and on fast-draining soils. This thoroughly soaks the area and encourages the plant to get its roots down. It also places a fine layer of soil particles on to the roots, allowing the plant to establish quicker. Do this even if it’s raining or the soil seems wet. You won’t need to water the soil surface afterwards because it will evaporate and won’t get to the roots.
Time your seed-sowings carefully and don’t be tempted to start sowing too early. Check your seed packets for recommended sowing times because even if you have heat in your glasshouse, there won’t be enough light in February or March for some to germinate. Seedlings that suffer a check in growth will struggle later on. Grow them fast and healthy once light levels and temperatures rise.