Weekend Work: Early flowering Iris reticulata and crocus
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.What to do
Spears of early flowering Iris reticulata and crocus are already spearing through the ground, with scillas and grape hyacinths. If the earth looks sour, tickle the ground up around the bulbs and remove any seedling weeds.
* Continue to mulch thickly round herbaceous perennials, such as hosta and rodgersia, both of which are quite greedy plants. The mulch feeds, but it also suppresses annual weeds and, as it is drawn down by earthworms, gradually improves the texture of soil.
* Keep greenhouses well ventilated so that air constantly circulates through it. There is a difference between circulating air and icy draughts. A temperature as constant as possible is what you are aiming for. Winter sun can build up a surprising amount of warmth in a greenhouse. If you close the vents in time at the end of the day, you can trap some of this warmth and keep down the amount of artificial heat you use through the night.
* Gently force batches of early spring bulbs by bringing pots of them into a cool greenhouse. Dwarf narcissi, hyacinths, crocus and iris all respond to this kind of treatment. When the flower buds begin to colour up, you can bring the bowls into the house.
What to see
Earlier this year, when she was preparing for her Chelsea show garden, I wrote in this column about the young designer Sarah Price. After a competition, Price has now been chosen to redesign Thrive's garden in Battersea Park. Thrive is a horticultural charity set up to help and support disabled people by giving them gardening skills. If you'd like to help raise funds for the garden, call 0118 988 5688 or check out the website at www.thrive.org.uk
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments