David's Tips For March
Houseplant of the month
Chlorophytum comosum (Spider plant)
These tolerant houseplants are great for people who are new to gardening and growing plants. Remarkably forgiving of neglect, spider plants bounce back well and have been popular in households for decades. You can enjoy dainty white flowers from them in the summer, and the plant is non-toxic, so safe for wandering hands and paws.
Spider plants are otherwise known as the “hen-and-chickens” plant, thanks to their ability to sprout babies on their long stalks. These plantlets can be cut off the main plant and potted up separately to produce a whole new plant. Alternatively, they can be left to hang down to give your spider plant additional structure and interest.
Position your spider plant in bright but indirect sunlight to avoid scorching the leaves. Not enough light will slow the growth, and you may notice the variegation fades. They don’t require overly high humidity and water regularly, just to keep the compost slightly moist to the touch.
Outdoor plant of the month
Daphne (Daphne)
Lovely to plant in spring and produce stunning clusters of pink, white or yellow flowers, Daphnes are wonderful shrubs to grow. Some are winter-flowering shrubs, providing precious colour in the winter months to early spring, uplifting the garden. Also, they provide a wonderful fragrance.
Daphnes can be planted between March and April in a position with dappled shade in a sheltered spot. They prefer neutral to alkaline soil, so make sure to test your soil before planting. If you can successfully grow azaleas or rhododendrons, your soil is likely acidic, so it may need treating with lime. Dig in organic matter if your soil is sandy, as daphne prefers not to dry out.
Water your daphne regularly for the first year, and once it is well-established, water only during dry spells. As slow-growing plants, they are unlikely to need feeding unless growing in containers. Daphnes don’t benefit from pruning unless you want to remove dead or damaged stems. Just ensure you wear gloves, as the sap can irritate the skin.
Gardening job for the month
Plant onion and shallot sets
TTry your hand at growing your own onions and shallots this year. There are so many meals they can be added to for an extra kick of flavour, and they store well once harvested. Onions are best planted from mid-March to mid-April, whilst shallots are planted from November to April, depending on the variety, so to grow them together, now is the ideal opportunity.
Onions and shallots are most reliably grown from sets, which are immature bulbs. For both plants, a sunny site is best, and ensure you remove any weeds from the soil. Improve the soil with plenty of organic matter, as this will benefit their limited root systems. Space shallot sets 5-10cm apart, in rows 25-30cm apart. Alternatively, space onion sets 15-20cm apart, in rows 30-45cm apart. Firm the soil in around them and water in well.
Once your plants are rooted in, just water during dry spells in the summer. Once the bulbs have swollen in mid-summer, you can avoid watering. Keep a keen eye out for weeds, which could disrupt your shallots and onions, and weed by hand to avoid damaging your crop. Remove any flowers that appear as they grow to allow more energy to go into bulb production.
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