Notes from the potting bench

Climbing the south trellises

The sweet peas are just reaching for the twine today. Pinch out the growing tips once they reach six inches to encourage bushy root systems before the June heat sets in.

Mulching heavy clay

If your clay soil is giving you grief this spring, don't buy bags of sand. Let us show you how we mulch with coarse leaf mold to break up the compaction naturally.

Acclimating bare-root stock

Our latest delivery of bare-root roses and hardy perennials has arrived at the nursery. Keep them in damp sawdust in a sheltered spot until the ground warms up.

Resist the urge to plant tender annuals out in open beds before late May. A single cold night will undo all your careful hardening off in the cold frames.

Head Propagator, Meadowcroft Lane

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