March, April and May

This is the time to plant the bulk of aquatics and do some propagation.

If it is very warm in late March it MAY be safe to plant up your pond, however, we really do recommend that you wait until April, or even early May. Plants will get away and establish themselves much quicker when the soil and water have warmed up. Sadly we often hear unhappy tales from customers who have bought lovely plants in Garden Centres that soon die in their ponds. These will have been grown in heated glass houses or even in Southern Europe, and the shock of a cold British Spring is just too much for them. Be Patient!! 

When the water and weather have warmed up then Water Lilies that have been in place for three or four years, can be lifted and old rhizomes cut out of the centre of the plants and replaced with younger pieces from the outer edges.

Thin out crowded baskets of Pontederia, Caltha and anything else that looks too large for its basket.

Cut back exuberant clumps of aquatic grasses.

Make sure that visiting frogs and toads have been able to leave the water after breeding at the beginning of the year, and that tadpoles can also get out of the pond alright as they turn into froglets.

Check ornamental fish to see if any have caught fungal diseases. Make sure they have enough protein rich food as they will be laying their eggs at this time.

If you need to increase your Irises, divide them into manageable portions, making sure that each piece has several shoots showing (another reason for not planting too early), then replant with a scattering of Growmore or well rotted farmyard manure.

We are holding a special Iris Weekend on Saturday/Sunday 8th/9th June 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Entrance £4. Plant Heritage Members Free on Production of their Membership Card

Light Refreshements kindly provided by the South West Group

Plants for Sale

PUT THIS DATE IN YOUR DIARY

PLEASE NOTE THAT AFTER THIRTY YEARS THE NURSERY IS FINALLY CLOSING AT THE END OF JULY 2013.

THE GARDENS WILL STILL BE OPEN TO VISITORS BY APPOINTMENT