April News from Galloway Flowers

  Spring might be springing all around me but it feels very much 'one day on, one day off', doesn't it? There've been a few days of working in shirt sleeves. Then next day, I'm back in my thermals. No sign of even a single Swallow yet so there's a way to go...
 
  The Tulips are definitely running a couple of weeks later here than last year - I've cut our first this week. Soon we'll have buckets of them - big, frilly cups of colour on (hopefully) long stems. To get those long stems, I'll water generously. Until they're ready,'Fancy Daffs' are the stars in my vases - such variety in one plant family. From tiny, delicate stems perfect for a bedside bud vase to tall, frilly doubles. And of course, our choice is no longer limited to bright yellows.

  But strangely other flowers are ahead this Spring. Lily of the Valley emerged early (not ready to cut yet) & Magnolia is opening today. So who knows? I suppose some plants are governed by increasing temperature, others by lengthening days. 
 
  At the end of February I felt well ahead for the season, but oh how we've slipped behind in March! Ken unexpectedly spent time at the Infirmary as his Mother was admitted (home again, thank goodness). Plus cold, wet weather including snow meant planned jobs (such as 'Big Trellis' borders & beds by the workshop) were delayed. I was all set to prune roses mid-month & delayed until this weekend. Inevitably, blooms will be late but worth the wait.

  It's tempting to fret about slipping projects rather than what has been done. Ken recovered the little green polytunnel this week & it's going to be so useful. This tunnel was a cheap Amazon buy, erected just before the 'beast from the east' in 2018. It more than paid for itself that week alone as we moved hundreds of overwintering plants indoors for protection.

 Since then it's been used for bringing on Dahlias, toughening baby annual plants & producing generous Tomato & Cucumber crops each summer. The cover was always weak, no longer waterproof yet the frame is surprisingly strong. So with a left over piece of polytunnel sheet, Ken has recovered it. Total cost zero except for his time & a few wooden battens. So useful & looks much smarter too. Sweet Peas will be in there to acclimatise & Dahlias for 'chitting' this week...
 
  April is a big month for seed sowing. I'll sow more batches of Hardy Annuals & Half Hardy Annuals such as Cosmos. I need the space in that polytunnel! I've been astonished by how many seed packets contain much reduced quantities - have you noticed that? Fingers crossed germination rates are high. Definitely more careful seed saving later this year.
 
  You might recall I kept about 300 of my Dahlias in the ground over winter. I've been fretting ever since as we had the lowest temperatures here in a decade. Well, yesterday I removed the black protective sheeting & am optimistic most have made it this far. I left the beds uncovered last night for a good soak in the rain. Now I'll cover them with fleece to protect from late frosts & keep my fingers crossed.
 
 Looking Ahead...

• We return to Kirkcudbright Farmers Market on Sunday 23rd April - there'll be plenty of our Galloway-grown Tulips plus more by then
• The next 'Make A Hand Tied Bouquet' afternoon with Spring flowers is on Sunday 30th April (just 2 places left)
• The next 'Cut Flowers from Your Garden' workshop is on Sunday 2nd July. 
• 'Arrange Your Own Wedding Flowers' workshops for couples planning to DIY wedding flowers using our 'Bloom Buckets'. Tailored content & private dates Message me for information

Jobs for April;

• Sweet Peas sown earlier in the year are ready to ‘harden off’ by gradual exposure to cooler temperatures outside, & then planting in the ground. Plant 2 to an upright, tie in & pinch out the tips for sturdier, bushier plants
• Plant Lily bulbs in pots now for Summer colour
• Sow another batch of Hardy Annual seedlings (try some of the new softer Calendula shades such as ‘Pink Surprise’ or ‘Touch of Buff’, Dill, Poppies for a change) this month, either under cover or outside direct in the soil. These flower their socks off, giving you lots to cut but will tire. Replace with this second batch to keep flowers coming until the frosts
• The Half-Hardy Annuals can be sown now too (such as Cosmos) ready for planting out after the last frosts
• It’s time to get weeding as buttercup, bittercress, nettles & more are germinating in the warmer soil. A few minutes with a hoe on a dry or windy day or pulling as you spot them pays big dividends later – so much easier to remove while small & before they set seed
• Give support to your plants before they need it. The plants might seem tiny now but it’s much easier to put them in place before the lush growth begins to flop
• Don’t give up too soon on shrubs & plants that look dead. After this winter some plants will be slow to begin growing – give them a little longer & you might be surprised. 
• Sow easy veg seeds for super-fresh (& very reasonably priced) salads - Lettuce leaves, Rocket, Beetroot & Spring Onions are all quick to reach picking stage & thrive in pots or a small patch of ground . Broad beans are good sown this month & always taste better than any you'll find in a supermarket

I hope you've enjoyed a Happy Easter break - full of Spring flowers, sunshine & perhaps a little chocolate too!

Until next time, 
Rosie 
Galloway Flowers