The garden is approaching its most exciting period and this time is thought by many gardeners as one of the best and certainly busiest times in the garden.
Planting can begin in earnest this month but don’t rush in with frost tender bedding schemes too early. Also keep an eye on watering during cold dry spells.
Monthly Reminders:
Roses
Continue regular spraying to control black spot and other diseases. Greenfly will become a problem this month so try one of the combined pesticides to control both insects and diseases.
Alpine and Rockery Plants
These will be showing excellent colour this month and an increased range is on sale at Farnborough.
Herbaceous Perennials
This is an excellent time to plant or add to your herbaceous border. Container grown plants can now be found on display, including ranges of Herbaceous Geraniums, Hostas and Iris. We also stock a wide range of decorative grasses, bamboos and ferns.
Trees and Shrubs
This month is very colourful where flowering trees and shrubs are concerned and here at Farnborough we stock a massive selection including some semi-mature specimens.
Fruit Trees
Why not consider fruit trees, our range includes dwarf and patio varieties suitable for smaller gardens.
Don’t forget that plums and cherries can be pruned later this month and next. This is done in spring and summer because these trees are vulnerable to silver leaf disease that enters through wounds. Cuts heal quicker at this time of year helping to prevent infection.
Vegetables
Most vegetable seed can be sown out of doors this month. Sow in short rows at intervals to ensure spaced cropping. Young vegetable plants are now on sale at the centre and can be planted out. Our range includes cabbage, calabrese, cauliflower, sprouts, lettuce, several onions, celery, and many more.
Greenhouse Crops
Vegetables can now be planted out even in unheated greenhouses, providing fleece is used during very cold spells. A full range of tomatoes cumbers, Peppers, Melons, Aubergines, and many others are now on sale at Farnborough.
Baskets and Containers
Now is the time to plant or replant those baskets and containers. Start selecting your Geraniums, Fuchsias, trailing Petunias, marguerite, Pansies, Begonias, along with trailing and bedding plants from Farnborough where plants are now on sale in a vast range of varieties. Don’t forget to protect baskets and containers overnight if frost is expected.
If you are looking for new pots or containers come and visit our newly expanded pottery display area where we have literally thousands of pots for sale.
Ponds
We have recently extended our Aquatic Pond area and hope you will find this an improvement when selecting new or replacement plants for your pond or water garden. We also stock a range of pond plant containers, aquatic soil, barley straw and pond plant fertiliser.
Looking good this month at Farnborough Garden Centre
Flowering Cherries – Our selection of these trees look beautiful in bloom.
Japanese Acers – A wide range of these attractive shrubs and small trees are now available and just coming into leaf.
Fuchsias – A new range of these attractive plants, shrubs and small trees will be arriving this month.
Clematis – A new range now in stock including some unusual varieties.
Viburnum – Our range of larger specimens is looking good with some attractively scented types.
Stoneware Items – We have increased our range of stoneware items including a new selection of reconstructed Cotswold stone tubs, ornaments and bird baths.
May is one of the most important planting months in the garden so why not pay a visit to Farnborough Garden Centre on the A423 Southam Road, Nr Farnborough, Banbury.
We shall be pleased to see you and are sure that you will be pleased with the extensive range of plants and gardening items now on display, along with our increasing selection of gifts and homeware.
Written by Pete Toms
Farnborough Garden Centre,
Southam Road,
Farnborough,
Banbury,
OX17 1EL.
01295 690479
