Early summer gardening tips

Following the very mixed and generally wet and relatively cool weather of early spring, gardens have sprung into life and we can now look forward to a sunny and warm summer.

Many plants have not made it through the winter, especially hebes, phormium and some of the less hardy perennials such as penstemon. If there are no leaves by now, then they will need replacing -there is no avoiding problems following the long cold and unusual permafrost in December. We have had many mild winters in the past few years, and winter 2022 was a reminder that there are always risks for gardeners.

The big positive now is that the ground is now warm and moist, and both existing and newly-established plants are putting on a growth spurt. Tall perennials may become unruly without supports; these are simple but very effective. Climbers such as clematis and jasmine will be expanding in all directions - encourage them up trellis or a basic bamboo cane frame. In the vegetable bed, plant out seedlings and bring out frost-tender plants such as courgettes and tomatoes to enjoy the sunny days we now enjoy. Many vegetables can easily be grown from seed in successive sowings to even out the harvest. Alternatively just plant ready-grown seedlings to make growing simpler and quicker. Runner beans are usually very productive. All they need are a few 8ft canes or hazel sticks for the tendrils to wrap around.

Keep your garden looking tidy by swiftly removing weeds before they take hold. Gentle hoeing with a long-handled swoe makes things easier, especially if you have difficulty bending. Also, lawns have been growing faster than usual so trim around flower beds and borders with edging shears for a neat finish. As always, regular maintenance, however small, makes a big difference.

David Hogg

Buckland Nurseries