FEBRUARY - BEST PRACTICES and TIPS for the FLOWERING GARDEN (and LAWNS)
Time to Chop!...
Cut delphiniums right to the ground when flowering's finished, they'll come away almost immediately to flower again soon after new growth. The delphiniums in the pic, were cut back to ground level 3 weeks ago.
Trim back any other Perennials that are crowding out other plants – salvias, artemisia, euphorbias, alchemilla, sedums, nepeta, heucheras etc are all ‘vigorous’ neighbours!
Trim back the long tendrils on Wisteria and other climbing plants that have finished flowering.
Continue to dead head roses, perennials and annuals as the flowers finish. This will help prolong flowering into the autumn.
Time to plant...
Our Spring bulbs will start to arrive in store in early February.
Daffodils, freesia, ixia, anemone, scilla, ranunculus can all be planted now, in pots or directly into the garden.
When planting your spring bulbs in garden beds, mix Daltons compost into the soil to a depth of half a spade, (no, not the whole spade, just the blade!).
Bulbs like damp, but well-drained soil, and sun or light shade.
To avoid digging them up or chopping them with a spade in the future, plant in specially designed bulb baskets.
Once the tops of the bulbs pop up, give them a side dressing of bulb fertiliser.
If planting your spring bulbs in pots use either Daltons or Tui Bulb Mix and add in some Daltons Controlled Release Bulb Fert.
As a rule of thumb the bigger the bulb the deeper you plant it - about twice as deep as the size of the bulb.
Towards the end of the month start thinking about preparing pots and baskets for their winter displays. Start with fresh container mix, adding in some extra controlled release fertiliser. Seedlings of alyssum, lobelia,pansy, primulas, stocks and viola will all be available this month to get you started.
Time to sow...
Alyssum, aquilegia, bellis, calendula, candytuft, Canterbury bells, carnation, cornflower, delphinium, dianthus, everlasting daisy, forget-me-not, foxglove, godetia, gypsophila, hollyhock, honest, larkspur, Livingstone daisy, nigella, pansy, polyanthus, Iceland poppy, primula, stataice, stock, sweetpea, viola and wallflower.
Time to feed...
With Summer being in full swing, your garden will be extra thirsty. Water early morning or early evening to reduce evaporation.
Give flowering plants a 'pick me up' with a Daltons Liquid Seaweed feed once a week to promote and extend their flowering season.
Give lawns a feed with a specifically formulated lawn food.
Feed roses regularly with a specifically-formulated rose food.
Time to control...
Slugs and snails
Slugs and snails love delphiniums, as they provide shade, damp, and plenty of food. Quash or Blitzem will take care of the problem.
Mildew
On petunias, dahlias and other flowering perennials and annuals. You can easily treat mildew with either FreeFlo Copper or Super Sulphur.
Whiteflies
In this drier period whiteflies thrive. They have become a lot more prevalent in recent years.
Whiteflies can cause plants to wilt, leave to turn yellow and where there are heavy infestations - plant death.
Like many sap-sucking insects, they secrete honeydew which then goes on to create. sooty mould.
To treat an infestation, you need to treat every three days. We recommend alternating sprays to prevent whitefly builidng up a chemical resistance. Use Mavrik and then Natures Way Natrasoap Vegie Insect Spray. Use one in the weekend and the other mid-week to break the whitefly life cycle.
Always spray early morning or evening when bees and other beneficial insects are not active.
Lawns
Grass grub is right near the surface at the moment so if you think you have a problem then use the Kiwicare Lawnpro LawnProtect granules or Neem granules.
If you intend sowing grass seed in the autumn, start preparing ground now. Spray out all weeds first with Weed Weapon Extra Strength or Rapid Action - be patient, wait till all weeds have died off before cultivating the soil.