Tips of the Month

To see tips for a particular month click on the month shown below.

January

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March

April

May

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July

August

September

October

November

December

* Always read the label. Use pesticides safely.

• Feed spring flowering bulbs (when they have finished flowering) for a better display next year.
• Remember to protect delicate plants and shrub and perennial cuttings from frost, which is still possible up until the end of May.
• Hardy annuals can be sown outdoors where they are to grow
• For earlier crops sow vegetables under cloches or fleece for protection. French beans can be sown under glass, in pots.
  Peas can be sown at regular intervals to prolong the picking season. Remember to protect any vulnerable plants with a single or double layer of fleece.
• Lawns - improve drainage by spiking to open up air / drainage holes. Remember to check over your mower and service it if required.
  As the weather improves start to mow the lawn - on a high setting initially.
• Now is a good time to sow or lay new lawns - the temperature is rising and rain is likely. (Do not sow seed / lay turf if frost is forecast.)
  Apply * Lawn Feed, weed and mosskillers (to established lawns). We sell many different types and offer a loan hire on applicators - ideal for large areas.
• Plan new climbers to add height to the garden. Support and tie in existing climbers as they grow.

• Buy 'plug' bedding plants - and grow on carefully, avoiding frost.
• Keep a close watch on young seedlings - they need plenty of light, but may scorch in strong, direct sunlight. Also remember to protect them from cold night air.
• Remember to water newly planted trees, shrubs, bedding, seedlings etc. regularly until established.
• Sweet Peas can be planted outdoors now.
• Peas can be sown at regular intervals to prolong the picking season.

• Plant up summer containers. Add a slow release fertiliser such as Phostrogen time release plant food. (Follow packet instructions carefully for best results.)
• Hanging Baskets - use as large a basket as your budget or bracket will support. Large baskets are always easier to look after as they don't dry out so quickly. They will do best in a lightly shaded position.
• Deadhead any faded Rhododendron flowers.
• Dig up and store tulips after flowering
• Hedges - start trimming fast growing Leylandii, Privet etc.
• In the Vegetable Garden keep sowing and planting out - warm and wet conditions are ideal for young plants to establish themselves. Hoe often to control weed seeds - this is best done at the start of the day so the sun will kill the weeds.
  Guard against pests such as carrot fly, cabbage root fly and greenfly.
• Now is the time to prune Spring Flowering Shrubs if required e.g. Forsythia, Flowering Currant (Ribes) etc.
• Provide support for tall herbaceous plants (e.g. delphiniums) while they are small.
• Watch out for Vine Weevil attacks on plants. The adult beetle eats the leaves, but the real damage is done by the white grubs which eat the roots. Treat established plants with *PBI Provado or pot new plants in *Plant Protection compost.
• Watch out for Slug and Snail attacks on Hostas. Use a sharp grit around the base of hostas to help prevent attack.
• Roses - treat with *Rose Clear to help prevent blackspot and greenfly attacks.

• Hanging Baskets
  Remember to water regularly. Large baskets are always easier to look after as they don't dry out so quickly. They will do best in a lightly shaded position.
• Keep vents open in the greenhouse 24hrs a day during warmer weather for maximum ventilation.
• Don't forget to keep harvesting courgettes and runner beans - the more they are picked, the more they will produce.
• Wisteria - to encourage flowers next year trim long shoots back to 3-4 leaves from the main stem. (Do this again during the winter.)
• Cut back flowered perennials to promote a second flush of flowers.
• Herbs will also benefit from a trim - this encourages new growth.
• Divide congested clumps of daffodils and flag iris ready for next spring.
• Cuttings can be taken of carnations, clematis and many shrubs now.

• Start forcing Indoor Hyacinths as soon as possible for Christmas flowering (by end of September at the latest).
• Now is a good time to take cuttings from shrubs and perennials (before the first frosts).
  Remember to protect cuttings from frost.
• Keep deadheading geraniums and other summer flowering plants.

• Winter Flowering Pansies - the earlier these are planted the better the winter flowering will be. Lots of colours in stock.
• Plant bulbs outdoors now for colour next spring and summer. Tulips should be planted by the middle of November, in a sunny position. Lilies can be planted between now and April. As a general rule bulbs should be planted about twice their depth e.g. for crocus plant approx 2" (5cm) deep and daffodils approx 6" (15cm) deep.
• Perennial borders should be given attention now - dividing established plants where necessary and planting new ones. It's also a good time to collect and sow ripe seeds.
• Lawns - remove fallen autumn leaves and use to make leafmould. Now is also a good time to lay turf on prepared areas.
• In the Greenhouse -as the days get shorter and cooler remove shading to increase light levels.
• Plant and sow spring cabbages.
• Garlic bulbs can be planted now for a head start next year.
• As the nights turn colder remember to protect late vegetables from frost.

• Plant bulbs outdoors now for colour next spring and summer. (Tulips by the middle of November).
• Plant new trees, shrubs and hedges now to minimise the stress to plants. Remember to water regularly until established.
• In the Greenhouse - remove shading to improve light levels.

• Plant Roses after their leaves have fallen.
• Plant new trees, shrubs and hedges now to minimise the stress to plants. It is also a good time to move large shrubs (NB But not during frosty weather).
• Remember to water newly planted (or moved) trees, shrubs, bedding, seedlings etc. regularly until established.
• Shorten and tie-in long stems and branches to help prevent wind damage.
• Insulate the greenhouse for use over winter.
• Protect alpine plants from rain.
• Plant new apple and pear trees, and carry out winter pruning on established fruit trees.
• Blackberries can be pruned during December.
• As the nights turn colder remember to protect tender late vegetables from frost.

All offer prices are subject to availability and are based on collection by customer - we can deliver locally on certain items - please ask in store if you require assistance.

A44 Bromyard Road, Worcester (1 mile from A44 island)
Tel: 01905 429212 Fax: 01905 748688
email: info@laylocks.co.uk
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Images on this website show a selection of the type of items we normally stock during the season - please contact us for specific requests.

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