If you haven’t done so before, resolve to grow some celery this season.
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It isn’t difficult, and our climate is ideal for it.
You can sow seeds now under glass, or wait another month, and buy seedlings from a garden centre.
Celery seed is very small and takes two to three weeks to germinate.
The secret of success with celery is that it must be grown quickly. That’s why it’s better to wait until next month, when the soil has warmed up, for planting out.
It must also have a constant supply of moisture. In hot weather, water it every day.
Compost and/or manure should be dug into the bed first.
Then, when it is growing strongly, give a side dressing of nitrogenous fertiliser such as blood and bone, or water with a soluble fertiliser every 10 to 14 days.
If you prefer blanched celery, you can buy self-blanching varieties.
Cool Crocus
The crocus is one plant that doesn’t mind how cold the winter is.
Even if you live above the snowline you can enjoy its delightful blooms.
The first warm rays of sun will persuade it to pop its colourful head out of the ground.
Sometimes it seems too impatient for spring and will push its way through frost or snow.
This is hardly surprising, since it originated in northern hemisphere countries where winter is bitterly cold.
In fact the corm needs a cold winter or it won’t flower.
There are some 80 species of crocus, and they can have mauve, pink, white or yellow flowers.
Not all of them flower in spring. Some of them flower in autumn.
Crocuses are the easiest of things to grow. Plant the bulbs in autumn.
They don’t need rich soil, but good drainage is essential. Some well rotted manure or compost dug in first will ensure good results.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are a much under-used garden plant. For most of the year their abundant leaves and colourful flowers make an excellent ground cover for suppressing weeds and enhancing the appearance of the garden.
They deter aphids, whiteflies and other insect pests and so are great for growing among your roses and even in the vegetable garden, where they are great companion plants for the cabbage family, pumpkins, marrows and zucchinis.
They are ideal companions for apple trees too.
Magic Magnolias
The beautiful white and mauve flowers of the magnolia appearing on bare branches in spring are a cheering sight.
Magnolia soulangiana is the most common variety grown. Although this is shrub-like it will form a tree if grown to one stem.
There are dozens of species and many more hybrids.
The tree was named after Pierre Magnol, an eminent 17th century French botanist. It is the magnolias that originated in China that bloom before the leaves appear, and the flowers show to great advantage if given a background of evergreen trees.
They are not difficult to grow, but prefer a sunny spot,and like a deep, rich, sandy loam with plenty of humus to hold moisture around the roots. The roots must not be waterlogged, so good drainage is essential.
During hot, dry weather the magnolia should be given a good soaking once a week.
Magnolias rarely need pruning but if it necessary at any time, do it immediately after the tree has finished flowering.
Buds are usually formed for next year’s flowering by December, so pruning must not be done after that.
There are many beautiful species of magnolia, Magnolia stellata, the star magnolia, is the first of the deciduous ones to bloom. Its pure white flowers are delightfully fragrant.