Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2012 | Page 114

Gardening with Tina All around us spring is unfurling, a slow motion firework display of crimson shoots and vivid leaves. I almost expect to hear the sound of buds popping as they expand with breathtaking speed (for plants anyway). It is wonderful to see the pristine beauty of leaves T in a tra in ed a s a prof es si on a l g a rd en er af te r le a vi n g sc ho ol a n d sp ent a su m m er w or ki n g in Tu sca ny a a n E n g lis h G a rd en s er. S he ha s a N at io n al D ip lo m a in H orti cu lt u re. and shoots, un-nibbled and translucent in the soft spring Bring me sunshine light, and I wish that just for I can see what inspired Van Gogh to paint sunflowers, a moment or two I could although I don’t share his obsession with them. However press the pause button and I do enjoy seeing monstrous headed giants lolling over savour all this lushness for garden walls, they do add some zing to the last weeks of a little longer. Instead I will summer. There are lots of different coloured varieties now, be rolling up my sleeves large and small. Some are really useful for cutting. May and getting to work sowing is the ideal time to sow in pots or directly into the border seeds and weeding. in shallow drills. Protect from slugs and water well until established. Have a qu estion? If you have a question, need some advice or even a suggestion for an article then please email: [email protected] Mulch ado abou tn othing After a second dr y winter and spring water co nser vation will be a priority this su mmer. Using a 5 – 7 cm layer of m ulch around pl ants helps to conser ve water, protec t the roots from temperature variations and reduce the am ount of weeds compe ting for moistur e. 114 www.visitislandlife.com