Seedlings to plant
Plant flower seedlings of stock, dianthus, larkspur, pansies, viola, cornflour snapdragons, primulas, cinerarias, delphiniums and poppies. This month plant tuberose, lily of the valley, crinum lilies, liliums and water lilies.
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Rake up fallen autumn leaves and compost.
Onion seedlings can be planted in a bed that has ideally previously grown a leafy vegetable. If the onion leaves are 10cms long or over cut them back to 7cms. Any long roots can be trimmed. Onions are about ninety percent water with the remaining percentage made up of sugar, phosphorous and sulphur.
Agapanthus care
Remove seed heads from agapanthus and other free seeding, potentially troublesome, plants and bin - not in the compost heap.
Compost worms will eat most vegetable scraps especially if you chop the material up into small pieces. Don't add acidic foods such as onions, citrus and chillies as worm do not like them.
A small handful of lime every six months or so will help keep the mix sweet.
MORE LIFESTYLE
Mother's Day
If you are looking for a gift for a special someone this weekend why not visit a plant centre and check out the lovely range of potted plants.
Cyclamens, chrysanthemums, daisies, lavenders, succulents, hyacinths, gerberas, polyanthus and ferns or you could buy some potting mix, a few spring bulbs and a decorative container to express your appreciation.
Snapdragons with their rich uninhibited blooms show to their best advantage when combined with other plants.
Blue forget-me-nots bring out the subtle shades of the rose coloured snapdragons while orange/bronze chrysanthemums compliment the yellow ones. Their long vase life makes snapdragons a popular cut flower.
Malus 'Sweet Cheeks' with red blushed yellow, crisp fruits and Malus 'Bite Size' with small, sweet, crunchy fruits are just the right size for school lunch boxes.
Other dwarf varieties of apple trees include 'Gala', 'Pink Lady', 'Granny Smith', 'Cox Orange Pippin', 'Red Delicious', 'Pinkabelle', 'Red Fuji' and the stunning 'Magnus Summer Surprise' bred in Tasmania by the heritage apple expert Bob Magnus with its unique vibrant red fruits, deep pink flesh and white core.
When growing plants in containers make sure they are raised off the ground a little to aid good drainage.
Frost warning
Limes are the most frost sensitive of the citrus family so plant in a sunny position that receives protection from frosts and cold winds.
It's important to water limes consistently but not excessively.
Too much or too little water will kill them. Fertilise every few months with compost or a nitrogen rich fertiliser.
