Mop up after the storm
Exasperated after the recent weather? You’re not alone. abnormal March heat and the dry but frosty april were both harmful to plants. But this week’s May gales were the last straw.
Bank Holiday Monday found me wailing at the wind and rain. that was after finding whiplashed perennials, smashed down narcissus and frost-nipped wisteria buds.
It looks bad, but it’s not disastrous. Much of Britain has now had desperately needed rain. plants have begun to respond and lengthening days will soon return our gardens to spring health.
I’m sure that with a little extra care, we can speed up that recovery. Here’s what you can do:
● FIRST, check plants which, after premature March growth were zapped by frosts. prune away dead stems and pick off any frost-hit flower buds.
● HERBACEOUS plants should recover unaided. But cut back any frost-ruined stems to encourage new basal shoots. If you planted dahlias too early, remove any blackened shoots.
● ROSES (pictured) and other shrubs may carry frost-nipped shoots or buds. remove those or shorten frosted stems cutting above the highest, healthy, outward pointing bud.
● DON’T worry about droughtstricken lawns: all they need is water and warmth.
● FINALLY, don’t despair. However stricken you garden may look this week, have faith in its recovery.