1. Feed spring bulbs
EARLY SPRING BULBS – tulips, freesias, snowdrops and snowflakes – are bursting into bloom. Snowdrops (Galanthus) and snowflakes (Leucojum) make a stunning carpet beneath magnolias. To extend flowering, liquid-feed bulbs every two weeks with a fertiliser high in potassium, from first shoots until flowers fade. Keep feeding until foliage dies back naturally to build energy for next year.
2. Be aphid alert
APHIDS LOVE SOFT NEW ROSE GROWTH and multiply quickly, so act as soon as you spot them. Gently wipe them off with a gloved hand or blast them with a strong jet of water. Encourage natural predators like ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies, whose larvae feed on aphids and mites. You can also spray roses regularly with a solution of soapy water and garlic or use neem oil, applied in the cooler parts of the day for best results.
3. Welcome the splendid flowers
MAGNOLIAS ARE COMING INTO BLOOM. Deciduous species open their grey, furry buds to reveal exquisite flowers long before the leaves appear. In full bloom, a deciduous magnolia is always a much-anticipated delight. Look for one at your local garden centre while in flower. Good soil preparation is key to a happy, long-lived magnolia. Choose a sunny spot free from overhanging branches or wires, which can become a 'possum highway', as tender buds are a favourite treat.
4. Boost your garden
LATE WINTER IS A BUSY TIME UNDERGROUND, as plant roots gear up for spring growth. Give them a strength boost with seaweed (Seamungus), a natural tonic that makes plants more resilient. Add liquid Seamungus to a watering can or use a hose-on applicator for easy feeding. You’ll notice a real improvement in your garden’s growth and vigour. Alternatively, spread the pellets around your garden for long-lasting benefits.
5. Delight in daphne
THE FRAGRANCE OF WINTER-FLOWERING DAPHNE is hard to describe, yet its uplifting scent fills your home and garden each winter. Pick the blooms for your bedroom or bathroom or grow it in a stylish container at your front door. Daphne can be finicky, so meeting its special needs is essential. It thrives in morning sun with afternoon shade and needs protection from wind. If your garden has poor drainage, raise the bed by at least 30cm and mix in well-rotted compost or a commercial option such as Neutrog’s Chockablok. Daphne also grows well in pots with good drainage. Repot into a container one size larger than the plant’s current pot. Use a high quality potting mix and place the pot on pot-feet to improve drainage. Feeding is essential to support healthy growth and flowering. Use a fertiliser formulated for acid-loving plants. Feed after flowering and again in late summer to early autumn for best results.
6. Control your leaf curl
PEACH LEAF CURL twists and reddens new spring leaves of peach, nectarine and almond trees. Prevent it with two sprays of Yates Copper Fungicide: once at autumn leaf fall and again in late winter at bud swell, before leaves open. Once symptoms appear, it can’t be cured. Infected leaves blister, discolour and drop. Remove fallen diseased leaves to reduce fungal spores. Maintain tree health with open-vase pruning (removing the central leader) and a deep drink of seaweed tonic.
7. Enjoy hellebores
HELLEBORES ARE A HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR LATE WINTER and early spring garden. They thrive beneath deciduous trees, where winter light encourages flowering while summer shade protects them from harsh sun. Plant hellebores 60cm apart to give roots room and reduce competition. Prepare the soil well – dig deeply and add compost and well-rotted manure. Check the roots before planting, teasing congested roots gently. Water thoroughly in the first summer as the plants establish; afterwards, they become more drought tolerant.