The Pleasures of Spring

The colours, energy and sheer vitality of plants in spring always take me by surprise. Roses flower magnificently, fruit trees and ornamentals are covered in blossom and the birds and the bees are constantly busy.

Rose ‘Abraham Darby’

Don’t forget that now is a busy time in the garden for humans too. An application of compost and organic fertiliser will be appreciated in the garden, followed by a layer of mulch, preferably organic. Make sure you wet the soil well before and after adding anything to the garden bed. Also, if you have an automatic irrigation system in place, now is the time to run through each station checking for leaks etc. Both the plants and your water bill will appreciate any necessary repairs.

Vegetables should be planted by now, although it is not too late if you get in quickly. Vegetables that rely on flowers to produce the goods you want, such as strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, capsicum, chillies and fruit trees will all have benefited from a sprinkling of sulphate of potash in early spring to promote flowering. If you have not applied potash, it is too late in the season now, but keep it in mind for next season. ( Comfrey, which is easy to grow, is apparently a natural source of potash, so place wilted leaves around the base of fruit trees etc in late winter/early spring).

I have included a small selection of some spectacular flowers from various gardens I have designed. I think the Hippeastrum flower, which appears with such magnificence in spring, would have to be one of my favourites.